Isabel’s Story: A Journey of Resilience and Joy
Our journey with Isabel began with a life-changing diagnosis during the 22nd week of pregnancy: full Trisomy 13. The medical advice we received was devastating—interrupt the pregnancy because she likely wouldn’t survive birth, and if she did, her life would be limited to a few hours or days.
Despite the dire predictions, Isabel has shown us the true meaning of resilience. During the pregnancy, apart from a cleft palate and lip, an abnormality in the corpus callosum in her brain, and some eye and musculoskeletal malformations, Isabel did not present with any major organ conditions. The only potential concern was a possible aortic coarctation. Miraculously, when she was born, her heart functioned perfectly. She had a small ductus that didn’t compromise her circulation and required no medication. Isabel surprised everyone by breathing on her own.
Since then, Isabel has undergone several surgeries and has survived each one with incredible strength. At the age of two, she experienced convulsions, but it has been over two years since her last episode, thanks to her medication. She wears glasses and uses a hearing aid, but these are just small parts of her story.
Isabel’s determination continues to inspire us every day. She eats everything in purée form, using a spoon most of the time, though she occasionally needs her G-tube for feeding. She crawls, stands up independently, and is now beginning to walk with assistance. These milestones fill us with pride and hope for her future.
She attends a special education school, where she loves learning new things daily. Her curiosity and joy light up the room, making her a beloved part of her school community.
But above all, the most important thing about Isabel is her happiness. She radiates joy and has a unique ability to bring happiness to everyone around her. Isabel’s story is a testament to perseverance, the power of love, and the beauty of defying expectations. She has taught us to celebrate every victory, no matter how small, and to cherish the happiness she brings into our lives.
Isabel’s journey is far from over, and we’re excited to see what she accomplishes next. She is our miracle, our fighter, and the heart of our family.
Written by Isabel’s mom
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