The Jessica Lynn Webb Story

As Told By Her Mother

Penny Webb

When Jessica was born she was of normal size and weight.

She was took approximately 2 weeks early due to problems

with my pregnancy. She was the most beautiful baby we had ever

seen. When she was 3 days old we found that she was allergic

to milk and also had a moderate reflux problem. Jessica was very

curious, alert, and active, she seem to notice things at a very

early age. In late March of 99 she was hospitalize for 3 days for

vomiting, diarrhea, and a high white blood cell count, test were

done for all kind of problems, they all were negative.

I went back to work and my mother and dad both retired kept

Jessica. She was playful, active, and developing very well she had

her favorite TV shows, toys, and songs. There were times when

she would have vomiting, diarrhea, and a high White blood cell

count for which there were no ideological explanation. This

would last 3 to 5 days then she would be ok. She loved the

outdoors my dad who she called Pa Paw would take her out

every day pull her in her wagon and go exploring, they would

find bugs, birds, butterflies, flowers, and things of beauty.

Jessica knew when it was time for mom and dad to come in

from work and would look for us. We live next door and before

bedtime my mom who she called Ma Maw would have to come

see her or she would not go to bed. We took her many places and

spent all our free time with her. Her birthday came December 4,

and she had a great time. Looking forward to Christmas everyone

was prepared early. In mid December Jessica had vomiting,

diarrhea, and a high white blood cell count, she was hospitalize

and test were done all of which were negative.

She progressively got worse and organs began to fail, she was

put on total life support the last 5 days. We were told every

organ in her body was not working

and there were no chance of survival.

We took Jessica off life support at 7:00 PM January 7, 2000.

She was pronounced dead immediately.

Most Christmas presents unopened, prayers unanswered the

way we wanted, and broken hearts that will never heal.

A autopsy was performed and a Mitochondrial Dysfunction

was found, of which we understand may have been

genetic related. 

They are about 800 cases of this particular kind world wide

each year, only about 200 survive the first year of life,

and only about 40 of them live to age 5 years or older.

For more information on mitochondrial disorders visit the link below.

United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation

Forever In Our Hearts

Jessica Lynn And Pa Paw From The Heart Publishing Co. Copyrights Reserved.