Introducing: Angelica.

Angelica was Jackson’s daycare provider at A Lifetime of Learning, working under the most incredible, loving, and compassionate owner, Brandy Perez.

When Jackson first started showing symptoms, the ER doctor told us he was fine—that nothing was wrong.

But she and I both knew better.

Before Jackson’s diagnosis, he stopped crying for food. Looking back, I think he simply didn’t have the energy to communicate because his blood sugar was dropping so low.

At home, I kept pushing him to eat.

And so did she.

I told her the doctor said he was fine, but in my heart, I knew something was wrong. Still, I second-guessed myself.

In her heart, she knew something was wrong too.

For days—unknown to each other—we were both feeding Jackson on a strict schedule, making sure he ate every three hours, giving him carbs to fuel his body and brain.

Most people might have assumed,
“He’s not crying, so he must not be hungry.”

Or,
“He’ll cry when he needs to eat.”

But not her.

She made sure he ate every three hours, like clockwork—keeping him safe, stable, alive.

By the time I was certain something was wrong, I confided in her.

I will never forget the relief on her face when I told her I was seeking another opinion.

That look confirmed everything. I wasn’t losing my mind. Something was wrong. And she agreed.

---

A Lifeline

Angelica is Jackson’s daycare teacher.

I have thanked her and cried with her more times than I can count—but it never feels like enough.

How do you thank someone for helping to prevent brain damage in your child?

How do you thank someone for keeping your child alive?

You can’t.

No amount of “thank you’s” or tears will ever be enough.

We owe so much to her.

I dread the day Jackson outgrows her classroom. The thought makes me queasy.

She continues to take such incredible care of him—checking his blood sugar, feeding him, helping him meet milestones, and providing a safe, loving place for him to learn and grow every single day.

I wish I could keep them together forever.

I trust her as much as I trust myself—and that says everything.

---

Angelica, Thank You.

Thank you for being kind, loving, intelligent, and for trusting your instincts.

We are so blessed to know you—and I am honored to share my son with you.

There are plenty of great things to say about his daycare, but I’ll save that for another day.

This one belongs to Angelica.