Ansonia comes together for ‘the Joy for Jeilany Caravan’

Town hosts parade for terminally ill 7-year-old

ANSONIA — The past year has been a blur for Edwin Vega.

His daughter, Jeilany, 7, is a first grader at Mead Elementary School and was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor last year. The stress has been so much Vega doesn't even remember when he found out.

“I don't even know what today is... This is tough man. It's taken a toll on the entire family,” Vega said.

Jeilany Vega has not been in school for months and school officials found out about her condition when her older sister, Gianne, 11, broke down in tears one day, worried about her sister, said James Chester, Mead Elementary School counselor.

School officials sprang to action, and organized a car parade Thursday in front of the young girl's house, calling it, “The Joy.” The participants included city and school staffers, the fire department, Mayor David Cassetti and the cheerleading team from Ansonia High School since Jeilany is fond of cheerleading.

Chester said when he called the child's parents to confirm her diagnosis, they all became emotional.

“There they started crying on the phone with me. And we were all crying on the phone,” Chester said.

Chester said the plan for the caravan came soon after when he spoke to his wife, Lisa, about it. She suggested a drive by caravan for the young girl and Chester began talking it over with Jeilany's sister. They both spoke about what Jeilany liked, her favorite color and music.

But Chester said he realized the parade wasn't just going to make Jeilany happy. It was going to help her sister and her family too.

“When I talked to Gianne about it, she lights up so it's twofold. It's more not just for Jeilany it's for her sister too who's really having a tough time,” he said.

As for Jeilany, her mother, Vivian Rivera, said she's gotten weaker over the last year. Jeilany was only given nine months to live by doctors but has now passed 10 months since her initial diagnosis.

“Every day that passes, she gets weaker. She can't move one side of her body, she can't understand much now, she looks different,” Rivera said.

Her father said they are still taking Jeilany out for activities. They took her to Bridgeport to feed the ducks to keep her busy, he said. But, according to Vega, its been difficult to reconcile the happy memories with their child compared to now, when she needs constant care.

He compared her situation to just a year ago on her birthday.

“We got to help her do everything, she can't do nothing on her own (now).

We had a birthday party this week down in the yard with a bouncy house and all the kids were in the yard playing around and, it's

very overwhelming and heartbreaking to know that last year, she had the same party with the bounce house and was all over the

place,” Vega said.

But the family is devoutly Christian and is still waiting on a miracle for Jeilany, her mother said.

“I know he (God) can perform a miracle at the last minute, that's what gives me strength,” Rivera said.

Photos by Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media “The Joy for Jeilany Caravan” passes in front of the Vega home in Ansonia Thursday. Jeilany Vega, a first-grader enrolled at Read Elementary School, is currently in the hospital suffering from an inoperable brain tumor and could not attend the Thursday evening caravan.

Lisa Chester, left, and her husband, James, center, lead a prayer while standing with members of Jeilany Vega’s family.

Jeilany Vega’s family watch as “The Joy for Jeilany Caravan” passes in front of their home in Ansonia. Jeilany is in the hospital and could not attend.