So Much to Learn From Such a Short Life

Jesse Anderson

Jesse Anderson made a big impact in his 11 short years. His memory will live on thanks to a gift made in his honor by his family.

Jesse Anderson was born with severe hypertension and a rare vascular disorder—but his vivacious personality and special talents far overshadowed those complex conditions.

Jesse, son of Susan and Kevin Anderson, passed away in January 2019 at the age of 11, leaving behind his parents, two sisters, Eva and Danni, and a treasure trove full of perspectives and life experiences.

Jesse came to ChildServe's Transitional Care Unit in 2008 and spent two years receiving intensive skilled medical and nursing services such as physical, occupational and speech/language therapies. He then moved to ChildServe's Ankeny Townhome and considered that his "home away from home" for the next eight years.

Jesse enjoyed going to school, swinging on the playground with staff and family, and attending physical education and music classes with his friends. He loved to watch sports on television—particularly football, basketball and anything with a pep band and crowds cheering. He also developed a unique interest in music from the 1970s, including ABBA, Queen and Boston, and would often listen as his sisters twirled him around in a desk chair. He was a fixture at the Ankeny Hy-Vee store and loved greeting other customers. Summer camp at Easter Seals and outings at the Miracle League ballpark were also favorite activities.

"Jesse was one of the most positive people I've ever known," said his sister, Eva, who is a senior at Gilbert High School this year. "It was just amazing that someone so affected by disabilities could be so happy. He was so free of judgment—he viewed everyone equally—I wish all people had more of his qualities."

Jesse Anderson and family

Jesse Anderson with his family, including his parents and sisters, Eva and Danni.

The Anderson family presented ChildServe with a gift of $5,000 in memory of Jesse, to support the organization's Forward Together capital campaign. The gift is designated to help create a new state-of-the-art inpatient pediatric rehabilitation unit, the only pediatric facility of its kind in Iowa. Jesse has also been memorialized in ChildServe's "Garden of Giving" located at the main entrance to ChildServe's Johnston campus.

"We just wanted to show our deep appreciation for the outstanding care Jesse received from ChildServe's therapists and caregivers throughout his life," says Susan Anderson. "Jesse loved his caregivers like his own family. The staff helped teach Jesse so many life skills and sign language, which he adapted to his own abilities."

Susan, an oncology nurse at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, remembers walking through intense grief following Jesse's birth. She credits Jesse for later teaching her how to be more sensitive to other people's grief and to be more compassionate and accepting of the situation.

"I'll remember Jesse for his determination and how he helped other people accept those with disabilities," says Eva. "They saw how cheerful and kind he was—even though he couldn't vocalize his thoughts with words or physically keep up. That didn't stop him."

A Heartfelt Gift That Changes Lives

Making a gift to ChildServe in the name of a loved one or someone special to you is a heartfelt way to honor their memory. To learn more about ways you can support ChildServe, while honoring those who have impacted you, contact Colleen Rogers Messenger CAP® at colleen@childserve.org or 515-251-5572.