National Trisomy 18 Awareness Day

Today is National Trisomy 18 Awareness Day, and I'm thinking of my precious angel, Allie. This special day was chosen to honor Allie and many other babies like her, because it is the 18th day of the third month. Babies with Trisomy 18 have a third copy of the 18th chromosome, therefore making March 18th a good choice for honoring them.

Our Little Angel is already waiting on us in Heaven along with many other Trisomy 18 Angels, but there are so many others that are still putting up the fight. I want to commend the Trisomy 18 Foundation and Victoria Miller at this time for all of the hard work and effort they put towards Trisomy 18 resources and research. Thank you. Not a day goes by that Allie is not in my thoughts, and nothing would make me happier than to see a day when parents would be able to spend more time with their special babies.

Coping with the loss of a child is extremely difficult for all family members, and we continue to struggle with our efforts. It breaks my heart to see my four year old have to struggle as well. It almost feels unfair that, at such a young age, he has to deal with this horrible pain that most don't face until adulthood. Allie remains in his thoughts too. My heart melts when he says things like: "Mommy, I'm sending a kiss way up high to Heaven for Allie." "Here's an extra hug for Allie." "I miss my sweet Little Allie, I wish she could come back to play with me." "I got (this) to give to Allie." and "One day I'm going to be so happy when I get to Heaven and see Allie." Isn't he just the most kind hearted little man you've ever seen.

It is so easy to focus on the negative when you have so much pain, but on this day, to honor Allie, I'm thinking of all the positives that she brought into my life. Yeah, I only got to spend a little less than five months with her, but that is almost five months that some mothers never got. I learned more about being a mother and a Christian in those short four and a half months, than I have in my entire thirty years of life. I'm thankful that God blessed our lives with Allie, and I'm so honored that he chose us to be this Little Angel's parents while on this Earth.

Please say a prayer for all of the Trisomy 18 babies that continue to fight, and for the loving parents that provide them with a nurturing environment, and for the parents with empty arms that are waiting to reunite with their little ones again one day in Heaven. If you have a little one to squeeze and hold, make sure you cherish every moment and always show them how much you love them. Thank you.


You can click on this link to view a slideshow of Allie and other Trisomy 18 babies being honorned today.