BORN WITH LYMPHATIC MALFORMATIONS, JACQUELINE RODRIGUEZ WASN’T EXPECTED TO SURVIVE INFANCY — NOW SHE’S PREPARING TO BECOME A NURSE

Jacqueline Rodriguez was born with an extremely rare condition called lymphatic malformations, which caused a large tumor-like growth to develop across her cheeks and tongue.

The condition was so severe that she was once given little chance of surviving infancy. From the very beginning, Jacqueline faced major medical challenges because of the extensive malformations affecting her face and mouth.

But she defied those early expectations.

Now a teenager, Jacqueline is preparing to graduate from school and pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.

Her journey from a baby facing a life-threatening rare condition to a young woman planning her future is a remarkable story of resilience and determination.

Doctors once feared she might not make it through infancy. Today, Jacqueline is looking toward a future she was never expected to reach.