Growing up on a farm in south central South Dakota, Jalyn has always had a huge heart for animals. She especially finds joy in watching the horses roam around the pastures. At just 8-years-old, this sweet, loving, outdoorsy girl was diagnosed with a critical illness that has forever changed her and her family’s lives.

One day, Jalyn began experiencing severe headaches and would wake up with an overwhelming pressure in her head. Her mom, Jenica, initially attributing the symptoms to anxiety, gave her Tylenol to alleviate the pain. Despite this, Jalyn struggled to get through her school days. Concerned about her persistent pain, Jalyn’s parents eventually took her to the doctor. During a routine finger-to-nose test—where Jalyn was asked to touch her nose and then reach out to touch the doctor’s finger—she displayed slight but noticeable difficulty. As a precaution, the doctor scheduled a CT scan and a follow up appointment for the following week.

In the meantime, Jalyn and her family went on vacation; however, their trip was abruptly interrupted when they received a distressing phone call from the doctor. Jenica immediately sensed that the news was serious. The CT scan had revealed a tumor located near the back of Jalyn’s skull, close to the cerebellum. The doctor instructed them to return home, pack, and drive to Sioux Falls without delay. The sudden and alarming turn of events left Jalyn and her family engulfed in fear and uncertainty, overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation and the uncertainty of the future. The following day, Jalyn underwent emergency surgery that lasted approximately four hours. The operation successfully removed both the tumor and the cyst surrounding it. Jalyn developed hydrocephalus and for two days after the surgery, she remained asleep. When she finally woke up, doctors diagnosed her with posterior fossa syndrome. This condition severely impacted her ability to walk, talk, and swallow, necessitating extensive therapy. When Jalyn received her diagnosis, she said she was “really scared because she didn’t know what was going on and there were a lot of unknowns.” After spending 17 days in the hospital, Jalyn was finally discharged, showing signs of improvement.

She began therapy in a town more than 30 minutes away from her house -- in a town near her grandparents’s home –giving her the chance to spend considerable time with them.  Although everyone was optimistic that Jalyn was on the mend, her recovery was soon interrupted as she began to experience vomiting and fevers. As Jalyn’s conditions worsened, a second surgery was done to address the infection. During the procedure, an unforeseen complication arose when the doctor accidentally nicked a critical area and ultimately had to give Jalyn two units of blood. After spending another two weeks in the hospital to stabilize and recover, Jalyn was finally discharged to go home for the second time.

Jenica administered IV antibiotics through a PICC line, while Jalyn attended regular sessions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to support her ongoing recovery. After being diagnosed in January 2022 and enduring two surgeries followed by six weeks of not being able to talk, Jalyn finally made her first sound – “mmm” – while enjoying an Oreo. This milestone marked a significant step in her recovery. By October 2022, Jalyn had made remarkable progress and was able to graduate from therapy.

A pivotal moment came when Jenica received a call from Make-A-Wish, offering Jalyn the opportunity to have a wish. Initially, she was taken aback, believing the organization was reserved for terminally ill children. After receiving a follow-up call and seeking clarification on how Jalyn qualified, she learned that wishes are for children with critical illnesses. After careful consideration, Jalyn’s parents decided that a wish could provide Jalyn with a cherished experience beyond her medical challenges, and a chance to bring joy and a sense of normalcy to Jalyn's life.

In January 2024, Jalyn and her family met with a wish team to discuss potential wishes. Having grown up on a farm with a deep love for animals, Jalyn was determined to incorporate animals into her wish. While exploring YouTube, Jalyn discovered axolotls and learned that the San Diego Zoo had them, which sparked her excitement.

Jalyn’s incredible volunteers put on a wish announcement party to tell Jalyn her wish was coming true. Surrounded by axolotl-themed decor, Jalyn was overwhelmed with joy, excitement, and anticipation for her wish trip.  

In June 2024, Jalyn’s wish came true when she flew out to California and visited the San Diego Zoo. According to Jenica, the trip was “simply perfect.” Every detail was thoughtfully arranged, including a special two-hour golf cart tour of the zoo grounds and a behind-the-scenes look at the axolotls. Jalyn and her family also enjoyed a memorable day at Mission Bay, where Jalyn and her sisters loved playing in the ocean and sand, despite finding the water cold and salty. Their hotel, conveniently located by the bay, allowed them to watch boats come and go. When Jalyn’s heartfelt wish came true, it was a profoundly emotional and tear-jerking experience for her mom.

Jalyn’s recent scans are clear, and she now has six-month check-ins to ensure her health remains stable. Although she is generally doing well, she still experiences fatigue more easily than before. Despite this, Jalyn actively participates in soccer and basketball. Even though it has been over two months since Jalyn’s wish, the memories of the trip are cherished and revisited by her family at least once a day. Jalyn has become more outgoing and is eager to return to San Diego someday. Her newfound desire to travel underscores how her wish impacted her, with San Diego forever holding a special place in her and her family’s hearts.

Jalyn and her family are deeply grateful to everyone who played a role in making her wish come true, especially her volunteers, donors, and wish team. Though they are usually inclined to prioritize others' needs over their own and seldom ask for help, Jenica expressed profound appreciation for the outpouring of support and generosity. She said, “we appreciate everyone who helped make her wish come true and everything they do.” The love and kindness extended by those who contributed their time and resources to fulfill Jalyn’s wish made them feel incredibly valued and supported.