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Jess Ross

Jessica Lee Donelly (née Reynolds), widely known as Jess Ross, was a White woman from Portland, Oregon, and the mother and primary caregiver of Caleb Ross. She was born on February 22, 1997, and had Caleb at nineteen with her then-husband, Danny Ross. After Danny died suddenly in 2022, Jess continued raising their son in Portland. She and Caleb moved to Baltimore in March 2038, and she later married pediatric neurologist Noah Donelly.

Early Life and Background

Jess grew up in the Portland area with her mother and two sisters. Her birth name was Jessica Lee Reynolds. She met Danny during high school around 2010 or 2011, later married him, and became Jessica Lee Ross. Their son, Caleb Daniel Ross, was born on June 13, 2016, when Jess was nineteen.

Jess and Danny separated romantically but remained legally married and continued co-parenting Caleb. Danny died from a brain aneurysm at home in 2022. Jess was present, called emergency services, and attempted CPR.

Cultural Identity and Heritage

Jess was White, while Danny was Black American. Their son was mixed race and multi-ethnic (Black American and White).

Caregiving and Advocacy

Caleb was a nonspeaking AAC user with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and hypotonic cerebral palsy. He used a wheelchair full-time and needed extensive support with daily care and medical management.

Jess coordinated Caleb’s appointments, records, prescriptions, equipment, communication access, and emergency planning. She also advocated for his inclusion within their extended family and in medical and community settings.

Move to Baltimore

Main article: Cal and Jess Move to Baltimore (March 2038) - Event

In early March 2038, Jess and Caleb moved permanently from Portland to Baltimore. Jess organized the transfer of Caleb’s medical records, prescriptions, equipment, and care while her friend Marisa Garcia helped them travel.

They initially lived in the accessible suite attached to the Lee family home. The move reunited Caleb with his best friend, Minjae Lee, and connected Jess and Caleb to a larger disability community.

Several months after Jess began dating Noah, she and Caleb moved across the street into his four-bedroom rowhouse. They shared the home before Noah proposed in August 2039.

Family and Core Relationships

Caleb Ross

Jess was Caleb’s mother and primary caregiver. She learned the distinctions among his AAC use, vocalizations, gestures, facial expression, and changes in muscle tension and used that knowledge in his daily care and medical advocacy.

Portland Family and Support Network

Jess’s Portland family included her mother, two sisters, and their children. Their exclusion of Caleb from family plans during Christmas 2037 helped confirm her decision to leave Portland.

Jess’s Portland support network included Marisa Garcia, Leah Whitaker, Tasha Reynolds, and Rina Patel, all mothers of children with significant medical or disability-related support needs. Marisa remained Jess’s best friend and chosen sister after the move.

Romantic and Significant Relationships

Danny Ross

Main article: Danny Ross and Jess Ross

Jess and Danny met in high school, married young, and became Caleb’s parents. Their romantic relationship ended before Danny’s death, but they remained legally married and continued co-parenting Caleb. Jess was therefore Danny’s legal wife and widow when he died in 2022.

Noah Donelly

Main article: Jess Ross and Noah Donelly

Jess met Noah Donelly as a new neighbor shortly after they both moved to Baltimore in March 2038. She later learned that he was a pediatric neurologist transferring from Boston to Johns Hopkins. Noah never served on Caleb’s treatment team because their personal relationship created a conflict of interest; another neurologist managed Caleb’s care.

Main article: Noah’s Proposal to Jess (2039) - Event

Noah proposed to Jess in August 2039 after asking both Marisa and Caleb for their blessing. Jess accepted, and she later became Jessica Lee Donelly when they married.

Characters Supporting Characters Living Characters White Characters Ross Family Donelly Family