Bella's Gift

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Our Inspiration

A true gift came to us in July of 2004.  Bella and her sister came into this world 2 months before they were expected.  Bella had suffered a stroke before she was born and required extensive medical care.  She weighed in at only 2 LBS, 2 ounces and needed resuscitated at birth.  She needed to be a fighter.  A fighter she turned out to be.  The doctors told us that she would not likely live 1 day.  Bella had other plans.  When she was only 6 days old she suffered a cardiac arrest.  Her plate seemed too full for anyone to handle, not to mention a 2 pound baby.  Again Bella seemed to have her own plan.  She continued to have her share of complications but after 2 surgical procedures and 3 months of being in the NICU,  our dreams were coming true, Bella was coming home.  She had a twin sister at home that she knew she needed to inspire.  She inspired us all.  Bella made several more trips to our area children's hospital that first year where she would stay for 1 to 3 months at a time in the ICU.  Right before her 1st birthday she was admitted again.  This admission would require her to have a tracheotomy and be placed on a ventilator for home use.  Bella spent her first birthday in the ICU recovering. She had been there for 2 months and would have 1 more month to recover.  Bella came home and would spend the next year at home with out any return trips to the ICU.  We sure enjoyed that time at home with her, her twin sister and her baby brother.  Bella would make multiple trips back to the hospital during the course of her life and most of the time she would be there for 2 weeks to a month on average.  Bella continued to defy the odds and impress all those that were blessed enough to have known her.  We knew that she was given to us to teach us compassion and what real love is.  When Bella was around 6 years of age the doctors identified a bone marrow disorder that would require new testing and periodic blood transfusions.  This was something new we all would need to learn and Bella would have to teach us.  Despite all the trials in her life we knew it was important for her to get out as much as possible.  Shortly after Bella turned 7 we took her, her sister and her brother to Disney World for what would turn out to be her only trip there.  She loved it there so much and was in amazing health.  A magical place indeed.  In December of 2011 Bella had to be admitted again to the ICU.  This time things were different and Bella could no longer fight that fight.  On December 20th 2011 our amazing, loving, beautiful, precious little Angel went to heaven.  Bella was a blessing to everyone that had the good fortune to meet her.  Bella never spoke a word but taught us all so much.  Bella's Gift is to honor her and help kids faced with situations like hers.  We love and miss you sweet Angel.     

Thank you for being in our lives.