Season for Caring: Meet the Alaniz Family
Category: Client Story
December 9, 2025
Adriana and Isiah found Any Baby Can when their daughter Aubrey was experiencing developmental delays. She was struggling in social situations, in addition to other challenges. Aubrey faced extreme anxiety around people outside of her family. They were worried about her missing milestones and reached out to our Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program. Soon, Aubrey was diagnosed with Autism and began receiving services. Their ECI team worked with Aubrey on speech therapy and social skills. They built her confidence and prepared her to start a special education preschool program.
Their relationship with Any Baby Can became even more critical when their son Elijah was born.
Difficulties Compound
Although Adriana’s pregnancy and delivery with Elijah had been uneventful, Adriana couldn’t shake the strong feeling that something was just not “right.” She's a registered nurse, and had a mom's instinct. Eventually she insisted on further testing and Elijah was diagnosed at six weeks old with Joubert Syndrome.
Joubert Syndrome is a rare genetic condition. It impacts muscle control, breathing and eye movement. Immediately, Adriana and Isiah enrolled Elijah in Early Childhood Intervention.
His chronic condition has a median life expectancy of 20 years. He is visually impaired, has mobility issues and other significant developmental delays. At 16 months old Elijah is not able to sit up independently. He also requires a g-tube to deliver nutrition, fluids, and medications, and experiences poor vision.
Life-Changing Support
Elijah is now receiving therapies from Any Baby Can. They include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, orientation and mobility therapy, and visual impairment services through. It's a long and slow road to improve Elijah's quality of life. With Any Baby Can by their side, they're facing the challenges that come with raising a child with complex medical needs.
Adriana and Isiah are overwhelmed with the costs and physical demands of raising two children with special needs. Adriana works as a shift nurse, taking on as many hours as she can. Isiah previously worked 70 hours per week as a mechanic. But now he primarily stays home to care for the children. He works limited hours as a warehouse manager each week when Adriana is off work. Elijah’s many medical appointments make it difficult to have a consistent work schedule.
Elijah’s needs are so complex, that grandparents and nearby family are not skilled to manage his care alongside Aubrey’s behavioral needs. This leaves the family with limited options. And while the family has medical insurance, the costs are still so high that they cannot pay for all of their basic needs.
How You Can Help
This hard-working family is doing everything they can to provide for their children. They want to offer Elijah the opportunity to live the best life that he can. He needs mobility equipment and their home needs accommodations. There are also ongoing expenses and medical equipment.
Please support this amazing family and Any Baby Can by considering a gift to Season for Caring (Select “Any Baby Can, Alaniz family”).
You can purchase directly from the family’s Amazon wish list. They also have requests for specific medical equipment, including g-pump parts, supportive seats, and a pediatric mobility chair that are not available on Amazon. For these items , please contact us directly or call (512) 610-7996 for links and purchasing.
Share:
Share:
Share:
RELATED RESOURCES
Support Adriana, Isiah and their kids by purchasing items on their wish list (select “Any Baby Can, Alaniz family”).
We provide parent education, child development and family health resources.
Support families by volunteering, donating, attending our events, and much more.
THANKS TO OUR MISSION PARTNERS
Investments from our supporters create long-term benefits for thousands of families across Central Texas. Join us in building a community where all families and children thrive.
