Walmart wishlist of needs as there is only a spot to put Amazon: https://www.walmart.com/lists/wishlist/4a0b5685-cdbc-4d21-ae41-acb7cfaae097 Some have seen our story back in October on News 8 or on the News8000 Facebook page. If you didn’t, the interview is pinned at the top of my Facebook page if you would like to watch it! 💜💚 Over the last 9 months, so many people have started following Jacoby’s journey — sharing posts, sending messages, praying, donating and checking in on him. This has all unfolded quickly and publicly in a way we never expected, and the support we’ve received during this time has meant more than we can fully put into words. When you’re in the middle of something this overwhelming, knowing people care makes a difference. My name is Amanda, and my husband Brian and I created this fundraiser for our incredible 16-year-old son, Jacoby. Jacoby was born with rare genetic abnormalities. He also has epilepsy and is on the Autism Spectrum. From the very beginning, we were told he might never walk or talk. But Jacoby has spent his entire life proving doctors wrong. He has always faced challenges with determination, resilience, and a joy that lights up every room he enters. For years, our biggest fear was not knowing how his rare genetic conditions would affect him as he got older. Over the past nine months, we’ve started getting those answers — and they’ve been heartbreaking. One morning Jacoby woke up and his voice had completely changed. The voice that used to be full of excitement, humor, and wonder became quiet, slow, and monotone. Soon after, more symptoms began appearing. His body randomly overheats, causing hallucinations. He struggles with impulsiveness, drooling, loss of taste, nausea, unexplained rashes, loss of balance, and more. It feels like his body is fighting itself from the inside out. Since then, our life has become a constant cycle of appointments, lab work, scans, phone calls, and waiting. So much waiting. Jacoby has endured countless blood draws — more than we can even count anymore. Each one brings hope for answers. And too often, each one brings more questions. We’ve recently learned he has two blood clotting disorders — something we never saw coming. We are preparing for a second Oncology/Hematology appointment, knowing it will likely lead to even more testing. Next on the list is metabolic disease testing, opening yet another door we never imagined walking through. Jacoby has undergone two MRIs under anesthesia — one of his brain, and most recently one to closely examine complex cysts on his kidney and his pelvic area. A spinal tap under anesthesia is expected next. And this isn’t the end. There are more specialists. More tests. More unknowns. There are nights we lie awake staring at the ceiling. There are days we hold our breath every time the phone rings. His Geneticist continues to fight to get him into the Undiagnosed Disease Clinic in Madison. Through it all, Jacoby keeps showing up. He faces things that would overwhelm most adults with a quiet bravery that humbles us daily. We are terrified sometimes. We are exhausted often. But we are endlessly proud of him. It has come to a point where our family needs to ask for more help. Financially, we can no longer carry this alone. Between constant travel to appointments, medical costs not covered by insurance, everyday bills, caring for our other two children, and simply trying to keep food on the table — we are barely getting by. All of the funds that were raised in October through December went toward uncovered medical expenses, travel, ongoing testing, and the many unexpected costs that come with a complex and still-unfolding medical journey, and they will continue to do so. We are also in need of purchasing a cooling vest, red light therapy, and several other items to assist Jacoby medically and keep him comfortable. If you feel led to donate, we are deeply grateful. If you’re unable to give financially, sharing this fundraiser means more than we can ever fully express. We also have Amazon and Walmart wishlists for our family & Jacoby's needs, as well as a meal train and grocery needs for our family of 5. If you would like to see more of our journey, our hashtag #JacobyStrong on Facebook will bring up more of my posts from my personal page from the last several months. Thank you for loving our boy. Thank you for standing with our family. We are Jacoby Strong. 💜💚