Support Cherubs & CDH

It’s been a while since I’ve thought about Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, or CDH, or anything related to it for that matter. But when I posted a photo of Emma holding Brooke a few days ago, it reminded me that although we seem to be past the worst of this birth defect, a lot of people aren’t. Josh, Emma, & I will never forget what we went through with Brooke 16 months ago. And I wanted to remind you of how prevalent this birth defect is all around the world and the battles that many families face because of CDH. Dawn Torrence is the founder of Cherubs (a non-profit CDH support group) and a mother of a victim of CDH. She has made so many strides in the name of CDH and it’s survivors and victims that I wanted to give her this post and encourage you to visit her site and look at all she’s doing and think about what you can do to help. Currently, we (Cherubs members) are fighting a trademark battle over the term “Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.” Long story…but she is hoping to keep the term out of trademark so that anyone may do good in the name of CDH without being penalized for using the term. With all that being said, here’s a reminder of a CDH survivor (by the grace of God) and her journey.

Brooke after birth & stabilized (pre-surgery)

Brooke at UMMC pre-surgery (courtesy of Stacy Richardson)

Josh & Brooke

Post-surgery

The incision covered

Breathing machine

I finally arrived from Anne Arundel Medical Ctr.

A gift from her nurses

All the Sroka

A visit from Amaw

We finally get to hold her

Emma just loved looking her baby sister

A present from Daddy

A visit from Gigi

At the second hospital (she pulled out her tube!)

At playtime therapy

Some of our many cards of encouragement

Home at last!

Getting chubby! (and the scar)

Big sister!

Brooke's surgeon

Nurse Leigh (one of MANY angels)

Our caseworker & friend

Brooke today