“I got home from the hospital this morning with my basement couch/bed made and towels laid out and ready for my post COVID hot shower. It made my heart happy as I thought about the little things my wife is doing during her own isolation at home to make my life easier after a long night.”
‘It wasn’t until I woke up that my wife and I both learned it was actually my 11-year-old son. It completely melted my heart!’: Nurse Dad says ‘the little things you are doing are so much bigger than you know’
‘She wasn’t getting enough air. She was almost gasping and was quite purple. It was pure torture.’: Woman gives birth to baby girl with Treacher Collins Syndrome, ‘Her disability won’t hold her down’
“I noticed her ear looked small, but I chalked it up to the typical squishiness of a newborn. ‘So what? What is the point of showing me her differences?’ She has underdeveloped ears, cheekbones, and jaw that make her appear a little different than most of us. I just stared at her in awe, with nothing but love and admiration.”
‘What are we supposed to do?’ It must be my fault. I turned to Google for answers and was terrified.’: Mom has surprise baby with Down syndrome, ‘Life looks a lot different now than it did 5 years ago’
“She asked us, ‘Did you know he has Down syndrome?’ I was a little shocked. We told her, ‘No, we haven’t noticed.’ She simply said, ‘Well, he does,’ and walked straight out of the room. Her tone and her demeanor were so condescending. I instantly felt fear, anger, and guilt wash over. There were no offers for resources, no books or pamphlets, no direction on what to do next.”
‘I can’t find a heartbeat.’ I fell from the gurney, slamming my head. She cradled me like the baby I knew I would never get to keep.’: Woman gives birth to son born sleeping, ‘It is excruciating’
“She frantically scanned, her voice trembling, ‘I’m sorry.’ I covered my face and just sobbed. I kept screaming to get her to try again. I can’t even begin to describe what it is like to know you are going to give birth to a dead baby. I tickled his button nose that matched mine. I was in complete awe.”
‘They told me, ‘No. Pickins were slim, no toilet paper, and it was ridiculous.’ I grab a pack of toilet paper and back up the hill we went.’: Woman reminds others ‘Check on your elderly neighbors and friends. They are important, too.’
“They had literally run out. They offered payment and we said no. Finley ran up into the garden and was admiring the lights again, and the wife said, ‘I know just the thing’ and disappeared for a few minutes.”
‘I can’t fight the call of duty I feel, the call to help my fellow nurses. But I’m still scared.’: Traveling nurse says healthcare workers are fighting ‘a war none of us asked for’
“This is a war that none of us asked for. I’ve seen pictures of packed bars in Chicago and beaches in Florida. Our hospitals are at capacity, not enough staff and too many patients. I beg of you, listen and stay inside. I’m scared I will be watching people die and be unable to help.”
‘She paused from petting and looked up at me, she said, ‘Can he pray with me?’ I said, ‘Of course.’: Woman says ‘therapy dogs are desperately waiting to hear the words, ‘It’s time for work’
“They are desperately waiting to hear the words, ‘It’s time for work. Hop in the car! Let’s go to the hospital,’ so they can go back to doing what they love most, visiting patients. For many patients, their rooms are flooded with flowers and family. For others, a therapy dog is their first visitor in months.”
‘I’m sorry, but I’m afraid Elijah can’t come back to daycare. We tried everything we could. It’s just not going to work.’ I was crushed.’: Single mom adopts son with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder from foster care
“As I sat in my living room, holding my 7-month-old foster child, I half-listened to the psychologist explain the risks I was taking if I adopted him. I heard the words ‘drug abuse’ and ‘fetal disorder.’ I was told, ‘He is not the same sweet boy I once knew.’ I bounced this precious little boy on my lap who giggled softly on top of my knees. He was everything I could have ever dreamed.”
‘I don’t want any more operations!’ It was so hard on me, I decided enough was enough.’: Woman with Apert Syndrome wants people to know, ‘‘I have a great personality if people take the time to get to know me’
“I was about 6 or 7 when I truly realized I was different from other kids. I looked different. There was a lot of staring, whispering, and pointing fingers from other people, as they had never seen anyone like me. I sometimes feel lonely and would love to have more friends.”
‘She hasn’t left the house – but her dad who works for the railroad has.’: Mom of high-risk daughter says ‘our kids are aware and they are scared’
“He is working on trains that travel between states. Ones needed more than ever. That is where my fear lies, that he will bring it home. I didn’t sleep last night because their health and safety are out of my control.”