On February 23, 2022, I embraced motherhood. The arrival of my long-awaited daughter, Emilia, was supposed to be the most joyous occasion of my life, yet it was overshadowed by profound fear and sorrow. My beautiful baby was born in a critical, life-threatening state. The medical team later revealed that Emilia had been trapped in the birth canal, arriving without breath, appearing blue, and with fractured collarbones. I never got to hear her first cry, hold her close, or even see her face. Instead, she was swiftly taken to intensive care, where she was placed on life support.
As time dragged on, I was consumed by anxiety. The doctors delivered the harrowing news: central nervous system damage, cerebral edema, congenital aortic stenosis, laryngeal stenosis, and microcephaly. They were uncertain about her survival. Her condition was so dire that the medical team opted to cool her body for three days to safeguard her injured brain.
Those three days felt eternal. I watched my daughter, motionless on a cold mattress, battling for her life. My heart was shattered, and my prayers were simple—please, let her open her eyes. Please, let her breathe again. I prayed for her to fight just a little longer, clinging to the faint hope that she might pull through.
Emilia’s fight was far from over. She was later diagnosed with a complex heart defect that necessitated urgent surgery. We were transferred to another hospital, where a skilled cardiac surgeon performed a delicate and lengthy procedure to save her life. However, the path to recovery remained steep and fraught with challenges. Following the surgery, new complications emerged: sepsis, pneumonia, and the need for multiple blood transfusions. I watched my tiny daughter, vulnerable and connected to numerous tubes and machines. One doctor, with a somber tone, suggested I consider having her baptized. I understood the implication. It was a subtle way of preparing me for the worst.
I refused to give up. I could not. Looking at my daughter’s fragile form, despite the overwhelming grief threatening to engulf me, I could not envision a life without her. Each day, I prayed in front of a statue of Our Lady outside the hospital, pleading for a miracle. And perhaps, through divine grace, a miracle began to unfold. With each passing day, Emilia’s condition improved. The doctors, who once spoke of an uncertain future, began to express hope and a chance at life.
To this day, I struggle to recall much from that dark time. Everything is cloaked in a haze of fear, sleepless nights, and endless waiting. Every breath Emilia took was a triumph, and every small improvement felt like a precious gift. I lived in a constant state of dread, uncertain if my daughter would survive to see another day. My instincts drove me to protect and fight for her with every ounce of strength I had.
Today, Emilia is with us. She is a warrior, and despite the obstacles she faces, she continues to move forward with remarkable resilience. However, her journey is far from complete. Emilia battles epilepsy and cannot eat or drink independently—her nutrition is provided through a gastrostomy tube. She requires constant care, and each day is a struggle to help her grow a little stronger and more independent. Intensive rehabilitation is essential for her to gain any semblance of autonomy, and we are doing everything possible to provide her with that opportunity.
While the worst of the storm has passed, the road ahead remains long and challenging. Emilia’s difficulties will never fully disappear, but with the right support, equipment, and therapies, we can offer her the best possible chance at a future filled with hope.
I reach out to you today with a heartfelt request. Your support can significantly impact Emilia’s life. Every donation will provide her with additional hours of rehabilitation, specialized therapies, and the necessary equipment to continue her fight for a brighter future.
Please, do not turn away from us. Your generosity can help give Emilia the opportunity she deserves—the chance to grow, learn, and live a life filled with hope. We are eternally grateful for every prayer, donation, and act of kindness you can extend.
Thank you for standing with us. Together, we can create miracles.
