Hannah Grace Tells Her Story
By Sandi Kwant
Hi, I’m Hannah Grace. I was born December 7, 2010 at 8:08 am. I weighed 4lbs 11oz and I was 17 inches tall. I was welcomed by my family. You know I have a big family or so I have been told. I love it when my big brothers hold me, and when Terri Lynn kisses me in the face, and my dad’s big arms around me, I love sleeping in my mom’s arms, and I love all the blankets and clothes my sisters made for me. I also love the fact that I look like my big brother Martin. I mostly love the fact that my mom and dad chose life for me. You know my mom and dad were told they could terminate me because they were told that I had a serious medical condition called Trisomy 18 which is defined as “incompatible with life”. But my mom and dad didn’t care what I had they said NOT AN OPTION we choose life for our little girl. I am SO glad they did.
When I was inside my mommy’s belly, I know my mom and dad were praying for me. I know they felt peace throughout the storm of uncertainties. When they read information on Trisomy 18 they quit reading right away because all of the information was too depressing so they turned to God and prayed and trusted Him 100% . I knew my family would welcome me with open arms because I heard my mom say she’d welcome a special needs baby with open arms. That is why God put me in this family. I know my mom and dad never swayed in their faith that God had me in His hands and that God is in control; not the doctors.
The day came for me to be born, the doctors told my mom that my heart rate would drop and she’d end up with a c-section. But my heart is strong and I did not need a c-section to be born. The doctors also told my mom I’d come out not breathing and would need resuscitation but I came out screaming. I noticed my mom was crying right after I was born. I know that was my mom’s AHA moment that truly showed her that God’s plan is not the doctors predictions.
I spent a week in the NICU. The doctors did tests on my heart, lungs, brain, digestive system, they were looking for problems that they figured would be there but my tests showed no problems. I do need help with feeding. My mouth was not strong enough to suck so I eat with a tube in my nose. My mom gives me her milk using a pump to get it into my belly. I am praying I will be able to eat using a bottle. I have to tell you the tube in my nose is not very comfortable. I can’t wait to get it out of my nose for good!
If you look at me carefully you can see I have some unique features. My hands have fingers that lay in a crossed way and don’t open correctly. I have two fingers that are fused. My hips don’t move properly. My ears are a little lower than normal. My soft spot is unusually shaped. My head is a little pointier in the back.
Since I left the NICU, I go weekly to see my doctor, a feeding therapist, and an occupational therapist. I have gone to Children’s for a few tests and appointments. My mom and dad want me to be treated as if I’m a normal baby. I am thankful because I am perfect just the way God made me. God has a plan for my life. I am a miracle and a blessing to my family. My family is a blessing to me and I know they love me so much!
I am now 2 months old and I weigh close to 6 lbs. I am so thankful to be alive and in the family I am in. God is so good to me and I am a living miracle of God’s hand at work. I can’t wait to see how God will continue to work in my life.
You can pray for me by praying for my feeding issues, my hips and fingers to loosen up, development and muscle tone to develop properly, my hearing, and my weight gain. I am truly blessed to have so many people praying for me. Thank you for all your prayers! I also want to thank all our friends that helped my family by bringing a meal, coming to clean, offering a shoulder to cry on, supporting them through this hard time and for all the prayers for my family.
On February 8, 2011, Jesus was calling me home. I waved goodbye to my mom and dad and told them everything was going to be OK. I got to spend 64 days with my family and felt so much love. I am thankful God chose this family for me. I know you will always miss me and just remember I will always love you.
