Help Baby Jax Fight for His Life
Expecting a child is supposed to be a season filled with joy, wonder, and anticipation. Like so many parents, we spent months imagining our baby boy—picturing tiny toes, soft newborn breaths, and all the little moments that make those first days so magical. We dreamed about holding him, about watching our three older boys welcome their new baby brother, and about growing into a family of six. When we moved to East Texas in the middle of my pregnancy, we settled in with hope and excitement, ready to build a new chapter of our lives.
Nothing could have prepared us for how quickly everything would change.
My first appointment with my new OB was meant to be routine—a quick ultrasound, a simple check-in, and a moment to see our sweet boy on the screen. Instead, that appointment became the moment our entire world was turned upside down. The room grew quiet, the ultrasound wand paused, and our doctor’s expression shifted in a way that made my heart sink before a word was spoken. What was supposed to be a normal visit became the beginning of a terrifying and unimaginable journey.
We learned that our son, Jax, has several severe and life-threatening congenital heart defects. The specifics came in a rush—terms we had never heard before, diagrams drawn on a whiteboard, statistics that made my breath catch. It felt like the floor had disappeared beneath us. We walked into that office thinking about baby names and nursery colors. We walked out knowing that our baby would face a battle for his life from the moment he entered the world.
Jax will require multiple open-heart surgeries just to have a chance at survival. His very first surgery, the Norwood procedure, will take place shortly after birth. It is a major, high-risk operation performed only on the most fragile heart patients. After the surgery, he will spend two to three weeks in the Cardiac ICU, connected to machines, monitored every second, his tiny body working harder than any newborn ever should. If all goes well—something we pray for constantly—he will then transition to the cardiac recovery floor for another two to three weeks.
But even if we reach that milestone, “being discharged” doesn’t mean going home.
Because of the complexity of his heart condition and the extremely high risk of mortality between his first and second surgeries, our family must relocate to remain close to the hospital for at least six to seven months. It could easily become a full year. We cannot return home, and we cannot separate from him. Every day during that stretch is critical; every moment matters. We need to be there—for emergencies, for feedings, for comfort, for the simple act of being present as our baby fights for his life.
This was not something anyone could plan for emotionally or financially. The logistical and financial strain is staggering. We will need temporary housing near the hospital for months on end. We will need transportation not just for Jax’s countless appointments, but also for caring for our other three boys, who still need routine, stability, and love. We are juggling rent, utilities, groceries, medical bills, and the basic needs of a family of six—all while bracing ourselves for the emotional storm of watching our newborn son endure surgeries, procedures, and weeks in the ICU.
We are parents trying to hold everything together, trying to stay strong for our children, and trying not to break under the weight of fear and uncertainty. There is no handbook for this. There is no way to prepare. Every day we wake up hoping for the strength to keep moving forward and the courage to face whatever comes next.
But we cannot do it alone.
That is why we are asking, with humility and hope, for your support. Donations will allow us to remain close to Jax during the most critical moments of his life. They will help cover housing, transportation, food, and the everyday necessities that do not pause just because your world has fallen apart. They will help us take care of our other boys, who are trying to understand why their baby brother is so sick and why everything feels different. Most importantly, your support gives us the ability to stand beside Jax—every hour, every test, every surgery—as he fights for the chance to grow up.
We know that every family has its own challenges and burdens. We know that not everyone can give financially. But even sharing our story or lifting Jax up in your prayers means more than you can imagine. Hope has become our lifeline. Community has become our strength. And faith—especially when tomorrow is hoped for but not promised—has become the rhythm that keeps us moving.
Our baby boy has not yet taken his first breath, yet he has already shown us what it means to be brave. He has already changed us. We find ourselves clinging to the smallest signs of hope, the tiniest details of his ultrasound pictures, and the belief that his story is far from over. Jax is loved. He is wanted. He is fought for. And we will do everything—absolutely everything—to give him the best chance at life.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for reading our story. Thank you for caring about our son. And thank you for helping us walk this impossible path with a little more strength, a little more peace, and a little more hope.
The Girl Who Speaks Without Words: Natty’s Journey of Courage That Captivated the World
Natty may not speak with words, but her life speaks louder than any sentence ever could.
From her earliest days, Natty communicated in ways that transcended language. Through her eyes, her expressions, and her unmistakable joy, she told a story that resonated far beyond her family and community. It is a story that has touched hearts across the world and challenged how society defines strength, beauty, and courage.
Born with Treacher Collins syndrome, Natty entered life facing challenges most people never have to imagine. The condition affected her facial structure and hearing, requiring frequent medical care, ongoing therapies, and multiple surgical interventions. From the beginning, her life was marked by hospital visits, clinical discussions, and careful monitoring.
To doctors, she was initially a diagnosis—a condition to manage and understand. But to her family, Natty was never defined by medicine. She was a child full of warmth, curiosity, and an unshakable spirit.
Even in moments of discomfort or exhaustion, something remarkable shone through her. Her eyes carried a quiet determination, a wordless message that said: I am here. I belong. I matter.
A Childhood Shaped by Challenges—and Triumphs
Natty’s early years were filled with uncertainty. Surgeries and therapies became part of her routine. Progress was measured in small milestones that carried enormous meaning—responding to familiar voices, reaching out to loved ones, smiling at the sound of laughter.
Each achievement felt monumental. Each moment of progress was celebrated as a victory not just over medical challenges, but over expectations placed upon her.
Her parents learned to cherish the small things. A gesture. A look. A laugh. These moments became proof of Natty’s resilience and her ability to thrive, even when the odds were not in her favor.
Doctors spoke in clinical terms, but her family saw something deeper. Natty was not fragile. She was determined. She was alive with possibility.
Facing a World That Doesn’t Always Understand
As Natty grew, new challenges emerged beyond hospital walls.
Social interactions were not always easy. Children stared. Adults hesitated. Conversations often stalled in the presence of visible difference. The world, as it often does, struggled to respond with understanding.
But Natty adapted in her own way.
She could not control how others reacted, but she learned—instinctively—to control how she responded. And her response was powerful.
She met uncertainty with joy.
She met judgment with confidence.
She met curiosity with openness.
Her laughter became her armor. Her smile became her voice. She did not shrink or retreat. Instead, she lived fully and unapologetically.
In classrooms and playgrounds, Natty became a quiet force. Children were drawn to her warmth. Teachers admired her courage. Strangers paused, moved by the light she carried so naturally.
Her presence revealed an important truth: courage does not always roar. Sometimes, it smiles softly and refuses to be diminished.
Strength Beyond the Hospital Walls
Medical appointments remained a constant part of Natty’s life. Tests, therapies, and procedures continued to shape her days. Yet even hospitals—places often filled with fear and tension—became spaces of inspiration because of her.
Nurses noticed how Natty’s presence calmed anxious parents. Doctors remarked on how her smile lifted the atmosphere of entire wards. In rooms filled with machines and monitors, Natty brought humanity and warmth.
She demonstrated that strength is not only measured by endurance or survival. True strength, she showed, is measured by grace, joy, and the ability to remain open-hearted despite adversity.
A Story That Reached the World
Social media became an unexpected platform for Natty’s story. Photos of her playing, laughing, and exploring the world were shared widely. People from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds connected with her journey.
They saw more than a diagnosis. They saw confidence. Authenticity. Joy.
Natty’s story resonated because it was real. It did not seek pity or admiration. It simply showed a child living honestly, fully, and courageously.
Through every image and video, Natty challenged conventional ideas of beauty. She reminded the world that beauty does not reside in perfection, but in spirit. In resilience. In the courage to embrace life as it is.
Communication Without Words
Though Natty does not speak with words, she communicates deeply.
Through gestures, expressions, art, and play, she has developed her own language—one rich with meaning and emotion. Finger paintings, shy waves, and soft smiles became her way of saying I am here.
Each gesture carried intention. Each expression told a story.
She taught those around her to truly see her—not as a label or condition, but as a person with a unique voice and presence.
A Family Built on Love and Advocacy
Behind Natty’s confidence stands a family that has never stopped believing in her.Her parents became her fiercest advocates and greatest supporters. They celebrated every triumph, stood firm through every challenge, and nurtured her sense of self-worth from the beginning.
Every scraped knee, every tear, every joyful milestone became part of a tapestry of love that carried Natty through moments others could scarcely imagine.
Their unwavering support allowed her courage to flourish.
Changing How the World Sees Difference
Natty’s courage extended far beyond her family.Children and adults alike saw in her a powerful example of self-acceptance. She challenged assumptions about disability and difference, reminding people that value is not defined by appearance or ability.
Her journey became a quiet movement—one that encouraged empathy, patience, and kindness.
People began to reflect on their own lives. To reconsider how they viewed others. To recognize that strength often appears in unexpected forms.
A Legacy Still Being Written
Natty’s story continues to unfold.Each day brings new challenges, but also new moments of joy and discovery. Each interaction, each smile, each small victory adds another layer to her growing legacy.
She has shown the world that courage does not always look dramatic. Sometimes, it looks like a child living authentically. Laughing freely. Loving fully.
Natty reminds us that adversity does not diminish joy—it magnifies it. That resilience can be gentle. That love can speak louder than words.
She is not defined by her diagnosis. She is defined by her spirit, her courage, and the hope she inspires in everyone who witnesses her journey.
Natty may never speak aloud, but through her life, her presence, and her unwavering joy, she delivers a message the world desperately needs to hear:
That strength can be quiet.
That bravery can be gentle.
And that the human spirit, when met with love, has no limits.
