Baby Anna Wilklow entered the world in 2017 in a way no parent could prepare for. What should have been a joyful moment turned into shock and urgency when doctors realized Anna was born with Harlequin Ichthyosis, an extremely rare genetic skin condition. Her skin hardened into thick, diamond-shaped plates that cracked and split, swelling her features and restricting movement. In seconds, Jennie Wilklow and her husband were thrust into a medical reality that would forever reshape their lives.
Harlequin Ichthyosis is caused by a mutation that prevents the skin from forming a normal protective barrier. Instead, the body produces excessive keratin, creating a tight outer layer that can interfere with breathing, temperature regulation, and infection control. Once considered almost unsurvivable, advances in neonatal care gave Anna a fighting chance—but survival came with relentless daily demands. From the very beginning, care wasn’t optional; it was constant, precise, and lifesaving.
Today, Anna’s life is sustained by an intense routine that touches every hour of the day. She requires multiple long baths to soften and shed excess skin, followed by frequent applications of medical ointments to keep her skin flexible and protected. Her body burns enormous energy regenerating skin, so she consumes around 2,100 calories a day—more than many adults. Jennie made the difficult decision to leave her career and become Anna’s full-time caregiver, managing therapies, treatments, and medical monitoring with unwavering devotion.
Yet Anna is not defined by her diagnosis. Those who follow her journey see a joyful, affectionate child whose smile radiates far beyond her condition. The Wilklows use social media to share both the hard realities and the beautiful moments, raising awareness while reminding the world that visible differences do not diminish worth, happiness, or potential. Anna laughs, plays, and loves fiercely—just like any child.
Anna’s story is ultimately one of perspective and choice. Jennie often says joy is something they choose every day, even in the face of extraordinary challenges. Through exhaustion, fear, and uncertainty, love has remained their constant. Anna’s life is proof that strength can exist alongside vulnerability—and that even the hardest beginnings can grow into lives filled with meaning, gratitude, and hope.