Ivy's Story

Ivy was born into this world,a healthy little girl with all the opportunities and abilities set in front of her. Unfortunately, for this precious little one that was short lived. At just five weeks of age she went into respiratory failure and was rushed to a local hospital. Here the horrifying discovery of the nightmare she had been living started to come to light  She was flown to a children's hospital better equipped to handle her medical issues. It was then discovered that Ivy had abusive head trauma(Traumatic brain injury) in two locations.

Her life had been irrevocably rewritten and altered for her, but a figure meant to embody safety. Instead, safety was replaced by cruelty. This person became the architect  of her deepest pain and suffering. 

Ivys injuries included multiple fractured ribs at different stages of healing , bruised lung, 2 subdural hematomas, constant seizure activity and bruising on her tiny body. She was not expected to make it through her injuries and, if she did her life would be forever altered. 

We were familiar with the maternal family and were contacted and asked to take this precious soul in. We discussed and prayed. It would be a big responsibility but, i knew this is where the lord was leading us to. After her lengthy hospital stay we traveled to bring her home with us. We were terrified. She was tiny and frail and healing from the most traumatic wounds anyone could imagine. 

Ivys main diagnosis due to the abusive head trauma was severe quad spastic cerebral palsy and will require lifelong care. 

We have had the absolute pleasure of being her caretakers for almost 2 years now. Transitioning into the role of parents to a chid with special needs has been a learning experience for us. Our commitment to Ivy will always be unwavering. We will remain dedicated to helping her reach her full potential whatever God may allow that to be.  My days are spent advocating and caring for her, making sure she has everything she needs and deserves. She is very much worth it and her life matters! 

Ivy now faces a world filled with challenges, robbed of milestones that mark a Childs journey into this world She is unable to play with toys find her favorite food or speak her abc's. She should have the opportunity to run freely in the sun, to articulate her thoughts and needs, to be able to pick an apple from a tree to enjoy the taste. She cannot engage in our world the way children were intended to do and deserve. Normal milestones remain unattainable perhaps forever out of reach as a harsh reminder of what was unjustly and cruelly taken from her. 

She is bound to a constant rotation of therapies, specialist appointments, scans, bloodwork, medical equipment and medicine dispensing  . A complex tapestry of medical challenges is her daily routine. 

Despite extreme hardships , Ivy shows us daily a resilience that is nothing short of remarkable. In her beautiful smile, her contagious giggle, in her determined efforts to interact with the world around her, in her own way and without words. She shows a strength that inspires and humbles us daily. Her spirit courage and determination remind us of the potential that still resides in her medically complex body. This incredibly brave little girl continues to amaze, motivate and bless us daily with immense courage and unspoken hopes for a brighter tomorrow. Her life does in fact matter and we all should be much more like Ivy. 

-Ivys Adopted Family