On February 23, 2022, I welcomed my long-awaited daughter, Emilia, into the world. What should have been a joyous occasion turned into a nightmare. Her delivery was extremely challenging—Emilia became stuck in the birth canal, and when she finally arrived, she wasn’t breathing. She appeared blue, had broken collarbones, and I couldn’t hear her first cry. I was not permitted to hold her or even see her. The medical team hurried her to intensive care and placed her on life support right away.
The diagnoses we received were alarming. Emilia’s central nervous system had suffered severe damage, and she was diagnosed with cerebral edema, congenital aortic stenosis, laryngeal stenosis, and microcephaly. The doctors were uncertain about her chances of survival. To protect her brain from further harm, they kept her body cool for three agonizing days. I remained by her side, feeling helpless, praying for any sign of life—a moment when she would open her eyes or take a breath. Those three days felt endless, and I was engulfed in fear, unsure if she would pull through.
In addition to the brain damage, Emilia was later diagnosed with a complex heart defect. We were transferred to another hospital, where a skilled cardiac surgeon performed a critical, life-saving operation that gave our daughter a fighting chance. However, complications soon followed—sepsis, pneumonia, and multiple blood transfusions. At one point, a doctor gently suggested, “Maybe it would be wise to have the baby baptized…” I understood the implication. It was a signal to prepare for the worst. Looking at her fragile, helpless body, entangled in tubes and wires, I couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. The idea of a world without my baby was unbearable.
Every day, as I entered and exited the hospital, I passed a statue of Our Lady. I prayed to Her daily, asking for a miracle for my child. I don’t know if Providence heard my pleas, but what followed was nothing short of miraculous. Gradually, Emilia’s condition began to improve. The doctors, who had once spoken of despair, now spoke of hope—a chance for a future. The impossible was becoming possible, and our daughter was slowly returning to us.
To this day, I still struggle to comprehend how I endured those days. My memories from that time are hazy—clouded by fear, sleepless nights, and the constant anticipation of my daughter’s every breath. I lived moment to moment, driven solely by instinct and the unrelenting fear that never allowed me to rest.
Today, Emilia is with us, and she continues to fight every single day. She faces challenges with epilepsy and struggles to eat or drink independently. Her entire nutrition is provided through a gastrostomy tube. She requires constant care and someone always by her side to assist with even the simplest tasks. Despite her young age, Emilia needs intensive and regular rehabilitation to help her gradually acquire the skills necessary for greater independence and to strive for a brighter future.
While the worst is behind us, the journey is far from complete. Now, I must humbly seek your support. Every donation provides Emilia with more hours of rehabilitation, specialized equipment, and therapies that will aid her ongoing development and fight for a better tomorrow. It is through your generosity that we can offer her the care she desperately needs.
Please, don’t abandon us. Emilia’s journey is one of strength, resilience, and hope, but it also highlights how much she still requires to overcome the challenges ahead. Your support, no matter how small, can significantly impact her life. Thank you for being part of this miracle, for standing by us as we continue to advocate for Emilia’s future.
