Elsie and Jace Wheelwright are the beautiful children of Dallen Wheelwright and Hannah Malone Wheelwright of Brigham City. Dallen and Hannah are proud graduates of Box Elder High School. Hannah’s brothers Isaac Malone and Caleb Malone played for the Bees.

Elsie is almost four years old and Jace is 9 months old. Sadly, these siblings have had quite the difficult start to their young lives!

At 20 weeks during the pregnancy with Elsie, doctors discovered that she had spina bifida (a birth defect in which a baby’s spinal cord fails to develop properly). Hannah was relocated to Houston, Texas where a fetal surgery was soon administered to help address the problem. Hannah remained in Houston while Dallen traveled back and forth from school in Arizona until Elsie was born at 36 weeks. She spent 5 days in the NICU and they were gratefully able to return back to Arizona.

A year later, Elsie underwent brain surgery after doctors discovered hydrocephalus (water on the brain). The surgery cauterized the part of the brain that produced the fluid to slow it down. Elsie continues to be monitored regularly at Primary Children’s Hospital but has been resilient and made wonderful progress!

Jace has Down Syndrome and was born with a serious heart defect which will require open heart surgery in the future. He was recently released from the NICU at Primary Children’s Hospital after 8 months. Taking care of Jace is a constant effort with his lengthy list of medications, and him needing a tracheal tube, medical ventilator, and a G tube for feeding.

Despite these serious health challenges, the Wheelwrights have maintained a positive attitude as they have learned to focus on those things that matter most. They have learned to appreciate every moment and milestone and are grateful for their family members and friends who have supported them every step of the way. They have set up a Facebook and Instagram account (@thewheelwrightstory) documenting their journey if you would like to request to follow.

Elsie loves to dance, she is a “major swiftie,” and loves all things princesses. She is a cheerleader for everyone and loves to care for those around here!

Jace is the happiest baby despite all that he has endured. He gives the best smiles, has the best hair, and instantly wins everyone’s heart when they meet him. He was a very loved baby by all the great nurses in the NICU.

We are thrilled to team up with the Wheelwright family for this year’s alumni tournament. Please consider donating @TMATFoundation on Venmo and participating in the Silent Auction on this site March 22-23. Thank you!