Helping Jordyn Thrive

Jordyn's journey to Children's National Hospital began on Valentine's Day. At just 2 months old, her parents noticed that her breathing did not sound quite right, and she began vomiting repeatedly. While holding her daughter, Jordyn's mother, Naadira, noticed rhythmic twitching in the infant's hand. Trusting her instincts, she requested additional testing at her local hospital, which revealed fluid around Jordyn's brain.

After that, Jordyn was quickly airlifted to Children's National. In the emergency room, she became suddenly unresponsive and experienced an absence seizure. Imaging confirmed the diagnosis: subdural hygroma, a buildup of fluid that her body was unable to drain on its own, causing pressure and bleeding in her brain.

Jordyn underwent emergency procedures to relieve the pressure, including fluid taps and later burr hole surgery to drain fluid trapped between the brain and skull. Her parents were warned to prepare for possible developmental delays, including cognitive and motor development. Jordyn stayed in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) twice, surrounded by a care team that would change her life.

One of those people was her neurosurgeon, John Myseros, MD, whose optimism and compassion helped anchor Jordyn's parents during one of the most stressful times of their lives.

"He reminded us that children's brains are incredibly resilient," Naadira says. "As a faith-based family, that encouragement changed everything. It shifted how we showed up for Jordyn. We sang to her, played music and danced in her hospital room. Those moments mattered."

Those moments reshaped Jordyn's healing journey into something deeply positive for her family. Over time, Jordyn met her milestones. She was able to come off her anti-seizure medications completely after a year and has continued to grow and thrive. Even today, the resilience she showed as an infant remains a defining part of who she is.

Now, Jordyn reads above her grade level, proudly makes the honor roll, dances in the Washington Commanders’ Junior Force Dance Program and dreams of becoming a fashion designer. She has even begun bringing that dream to life by creating her own clothes. Her family gave back to Children's National by fundraising through the Race for Every Child to show their appreciation for the care and support that helped Jordyn grow into the joyful, imaginative child she is today.