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Posted on February 11, 2011
This month is Heart Month, this week is CHD {congenital heart defect} awareness week.
Some of you may have followed Kristen’s story on my facebook page. I had the pleasure of meeting her parents when her mom Jamie was pregnant with Kristen.
I then had the honor to photograph her when she was 11 days old. She was a little angel and slept through most of the photos. Their dog scooter, so amazing with her, watching over her. The following day as I was proofing these photos of Kristen, Jamie’s facebook status changed to notify her friends that she was taking Kristen to RVH then Sickkids as the midwives had heard a heart murmur.
I am also a nurse, and a mother, and I cannot for one moment imagine what Jamie and Andrew were going through with Kristen. She was diagnosed with CHD {Congenital Heart Defect} and was in heart failure. She was sent home on many medications in the hopes that she would get better.
At 6 months it appeared that Kristen was going to need surgery. I contacted her parents and gifted them a family session before surgery to “celebrate the moment”. They only had a few hours available during such a hectic time, and we were able to make it work. I arrived as Kristen was getting her NG {naso-gastric} tube feed.
She was so content, such a happy baby despite all she had to endure in a day.
Her parents were doing amazing, despite everything. She is so lucky to have these two for parents!
Kristen’s surgery was cancelled and re-scheduled, and she did amazing! After she had healed I went back and visited the Seal Family for a family photo shoot. I could hardly handle the difference in Kristen! She was fast asleep when I arrived. I managed to snap a few photos before she woke up!
Jamie wears a heart around her neck, and Kristen loved playing with it.
We then took it outside, and Kristen just stole my heart yet again with all her charm!
With Scooter always by her side. This dog is amazing!
This is one truly amazing family!
Kristen visited me in November in the studio for her first birthday portraits and Cake smash! We had a blast, and she is doing amazing! This one has stolen my heart forever!
and how cute is scooter?!
Such a great dad {and a great sport!}
I hope to be able to continue to photograph Kristen’s journey, and help to bring awareness to CHD.
Some CHD facts to leave you with {courtesy of Kristen’s mom Jamie}
~50% of all children diagnosed with CHD will need at least one invasive surgery
~There is no cure for CHD’s, only surgery and catheterizations to “repair” and medication to manage. It lasts a lifetime.
~There are 35 known CHD’s
~1-85-100 babies are born with a CHD
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7 Comments so far
Thank you so much Rebecca!! You have given my family a truly amazing gift that we will cherish forever.
Rebecca….You do some AMAZING Photography !!!!
But most of all, I wish Kristen & her parents, ALL the best that Life has to offer!! Oh yes…to Scooter too. (Baby’s Best friend)
Thanks for sharing this post brought tears to my ears. What a precious gift from God Kristen is. And what a absolutely beautiful family. God Bless.
What a touching story. I teared up reading this… I am sure it takes unbelievable strength to go through all that this family has and still smile. If I can ever do anything to help let me know Rebecca.
Thank-you! I appreciate it!
Thank-you Kati, I appreciate it!
came looking at your website after friends had wedding photos done, came upon this photo story and its beautiful how you were able to give a little bit of sunshine to this family during a very stressful time. amazing work rebecca.