Jayleen Ruiz recently completed her high school requirements.

But for the Manteca High Class of 2023 graduate, it was an arduous journey during her ongoing road to recovery.

“I had a stroke (back in December 2022) but that doesn’t define me,” said Ruiz, who is gearing up to attend California State University, Stanislaus later this month.

She just finished classes at the Manteca Adult School, having done so while re-learning how to read coupled with other physical obstacles following her life-threatening illness that placed her in a coma for a few weeks.

Back in the fall of 2022, Jayleen Ruiz was living an exciting and busy life. It was her senior year and she was Class Vice President, Captain of the Manteca High cheer squad, honor student, and even worked a part-time job.

“I loved my school,” Ruiz said.

That December, Ruiz got sick. At age 17, she suffered a stroke and had to be rushed to UCSF Medical Center via ambulance. Foggy conditions ruled out air transportation for the emergency situation.

According to her mother Lorena, Jayleen Ruiz’s health conditions required two brain surgeries, hindering her ability to read, write, walk, and talk.

“I couldn’t say ‘mom’ or ‘dad’ but I could say ‘Peanut,’” said the younger Ruiz, referring in the latter to the name of the family dog.

She described coming out of her stroke “like being in a dream.”

Added her mom: “We never left her side during those 60 days at UCSF.”

In May 2023, Ruiz was preparing for her second and last major surgery at about the same time as her peers were gearing up for graduation. She was allowed to join in the commencement exercises with her friends and classmates despite still needing to complete English 4 and Economics / Government.

At this time about a year ago was a tough time for Ruiz, who was at a crossroad.

She posted on social media: “I felt so disappointed that I was 18 and needed another year to graduate. Then I finally had a big thought – it took me 15 years of school to get close to graduating, and now I’m not going to try?”

With support of her family and boyfriend – included are her parents, Lorena and Jose, and sisters Maritza, 21, and Gianna, 15 – Jayleen Ruiz moved forward. She also had the help of her speech, physical, occupational, and mental health therapists while attending the Manteca Education and Training Center that August 2023.

During that school year, Ruiz had to relearn foundation skills such as letter sounds, reading, etc., rebuilding all of that to high-school level.

She put in the work with help of her on-campus system, namely, special education teacher Aubrey Lewis, adult school psychologist Nancy Cuevas, MHS leadership teacher Stephanie Hjelmstad (she maintained close contact with Ruiz), and Principal Brad Harrison, who oversaw Jayleen’s remediation.

Thanks to her determination and indomitable spirit, Jayleen Ruiz has all but bounced back from her illness. She has a few physical problems, according to her mother, while her daily medication has substantially been scaled back to just one pill.

“It was our (religious) faith and prayers,” said Lorena Ruiz, counting the blessings bestowed on her daughter as she continues that road to recovery from her stroke.

 The next stop for Jayleen Ruiz is Stanislaus State, where she plans to major in Child Development.

After her experience, she wants to become a Child Life Specialist, in particular, working with children during their long-term hospital stays.

As Ruiz said: “I had a stroke but that doesn’t define me.”