At just five months old, Iris LaValle has already taught her family—and everyone who meets her—what true strength looks like. Born with a rare and unnamed mitochondrial disease, Iris has spent much of her short life in and out of the hospital, fighting battles no baby should ever have to face. But despite the challenges, she continues to radiate light, earning her middle name —
Her story begins in Pittsburgh, where she was born to Casey and Amanda LaValle, two parents whose love and determination have carried them through one of life’s most difficult journeys. Their days revolve around hospital visits, medical updates, and the steady rhythm of machines that help their baby girl survive. The corridors of
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh have become their second home — a place filled with both fear and faith, heartbreak and hope.
“Iris is a true fighter,” Amanda says softly. “She’s been strong from the moment she came into this world.”
Iris’s mitochondrial disease is so rare it doesn’t even have a name. It affects how her cells produce energy — something most of us take for granted. For Iris, that means constant monitoring, multiple medications, and specialized feeding care just to keep her stable. Every breath, every moment of alertness, every giggle is a small miracle.
Her parents have become experts in a world they never expected to know — learning to read machines, administer medications, and advocate fiercely for their daughter’s needs. They’ve become the voice of their little girl who, despite her medical struggles, continues to communicate through smiles, tiny movements, and a strength that feels far beyond her age.
Amanda, a speech and language therapist, has used her professional background to help navigate Iris’s complex medical world. But no degree or training can fully prepare a mother for the reality of watching her baby endure test after test, surgery after surgery. Between hospital stays, she tries to balance her new job and care for their two other children,
Owen (7) and Eliana (2) — both of whom adore their baby sister and bring much-needed laughter to their family’s days.
Casey, a baseball coach and small business owner, has become the rock holding their home together. When he’s not at the hospital, he’s running between work, caring for the kids, and finding ways to keep life as normal as possible for Owen and Eliana. “We’re just trying to hold everything together,” he says. “We’re grateful for every good day we get with Iris.”
But behind their courage lies the quiet struggle of hospital parking fees, gas expenses, and endless meals on the go. The family relies heavily on Medicaid to cover Iris’s medical costs, but the financial strain continues to grow. Between
feeding supplies, medications, and travel expenses, every day brings new challenges — not just emotional, but practical ones too.
Still, the LaValles refuse to let fear define their story. “We’ve learned to find joy in the smallest things,” Amanda shares. “Iris has a little sass — that third-child spirit — and she lets us know when she’s not happy! But that spark is what keeps us going. She’s tough, and she’s teaching us how to be tough, too.”
Iris’s older siblings are her biggest cheerleaders. Owen proudly talks about his baby sister to anyone who will listen, while little Eliana loves bringing toys and singing softly beside her crib. Their home, though filled with challenges, overflows with love — the kind of love that bends but never breaks.
The LaValles have built a reputation in their community for their kindness, faith, and resilience. They’ve shown up for others in the past — as friends, mentors, and neighbors — and now, it’s their turn to be lifted up. As they navigate this long and uncertain journey, they are asking for what every parent in their position would —
prayers, support, and hope.
Every contribution, every message of encouragement, every whispered prayer helps lighten their load. Whether it’s helping with travel costs, covering medical supplies, or simply spreading Iris’s story, the outpouring of community love reminds them that they are not alone in this fight.
“Iris may be small,” Amanda says, “but she has the biggest spirit. She’s the strongest person I know. She’s teaching us every day about faith, perseverance, and love.”
Their dream is simple yet profound: to bring Iris home for good — to see her grow, laugh, and play alongside her brother and sister. And while the future may still be uncertain, one thing is clear — this family’s story is not one of despair, but of
enduring hope.
Through every sleepless night and every answered prayer, the LaValles continue to believe in miracles — because they see one every time they look into their daughter’s eyes.
So tonight, as Iris rests surrounded by the quiet hum of hospital machines, her parents hold her tiny hand and whisper the same promise they’ve made since the day she was born:
“You keep fighting, sweet girl. We’ll keep believing.” 💜