My name is Bridgett and my story takes place in 2007.
At that time I had already had 2 boys, ages 10 and 8. My husband, Jeromy, adopted them the same year I got pregnant with Ayrielle Faith. During my 20 week appointment we found out it was a girl we were ecstatic! But during that same doctors appointment, we also found out that she had spina bifida and they would need to do an amniocentesis because of other complications they saw during the ultrasound. It was a lot to take in, knowing that our little girl would potentially be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life because of the severity of the spina bifida. But, after we got the results of the amniocentesis, I can’t even explain the emotions and thoughts that were whirling around in my mind and my heart. The doctor said she had trisomy 18, also known as Edward syndrome. I had never in my life heard of Edward syndrome before this day. The doctor encouraged me to terminate my pregnancy because of the severity of her condition. But I chose to go against the doctors recommendation. I had faith God would heal my baby, so we did all the things to prepare for her arrival.
Despite what the doctor said, she was very active! She loved music, she would always move and kick the entire time the radio was on in the car or at home! She would even kick up a storm during song service at church! So we nicknamed her our little mermaid. We were hopeful, it was the first part of November and I was due to have her the first part of December. But on November 7th, our house was broken into and robbed. All of that added stress was too much for her little body and 4 days later I knew something was wrong. It was a Sunday and during song service at church, she was still. Her favorite thing was music and she wasn’t kicking. I called my doctor and he told me to go to the hospital. The nurse did the ultrasound and every time the nurse pushed on my uterus, Ayrielle’s little body would float down and then back up. The nurse didn’t have to tell us, we already knew. The nurse left without saying anything and came back in the room and handed me the phone. The doctor apologized and says she’s passed away and told me to prepare for a cesarean.
Ayrielle was born 3 lbs. 6 oz. 15 1/2 inches long. I spent a lot of time at the cemetery. I was so angry at God, asking why. During one of those days, He spoke to my heart, ”I know how you feel I lost My son too”. It was that moment that I realized He understood my pain. So I have chosen to have faith that He has a beautiful plan. Today is November 11, 2024, what would’ve been my daughter’s, Ayrielle Faith, 17th birthday. Every year on this day, we celebrate Ayrielle and we will do that for the rest of our lives.