For The Love Of A Child
Donation protected
I’m not one to post much on Facebook, however, what I have to share is something that is very close to my heart. One of my best friends of 25 years, Christy Russell-Birkett, has faced many challenges over the past 11 years. These years have tested her faith, her marriage, and her belief in herself.
A little more about her story…
Christy was a single mother to her son Nicholas when she met Mike, her husband. He immediately took on the role of a father figure to Nicholas, who was 5 years old at the time. After finishing their degrees when Nicholas was 9, Christy became a Registered Nurse and Mike a Special Ed teacher. They were ready and on their way to add on to their family. They excitedly got pregnant only to find out 3 miscarriages would follow. After seeking multiple specialists, they finally became pregnant with our special boy Jaden. Approximately 23 weeks into the pregnancy, Christy started showing signs of preeclampsia (high blood pressure and swelling during pregnancy) which then lead to an undiagnosed case of HELLPP Syndrome, which causes the body to reject the baby as a foreign object. HELLPP Syndrome is very rare and only occurs in 5% of all pregnancies. It can be life threatening in both mother and child. The diagnosis of HELLPP Syndrome led to Christy’s emergency C-section at 25 weeks and 5 days gestation of pregnancy. As doctors were pouring platelets into Christy to keep her alive, another team of doctors were delivering our little Jaden. He was a miracle baby. He weighed 1 pound, 11 ounces at birth. He was so tiny he could fit in the palm of your hand.
During the early months of Jaden’s life, Jaden was diagnosed with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. Jaden is non-ambulatory, dependent on g-tube feedings for nutrition, hydration and medications, and requires full 24-hour care. Since birth, Jaden has endured 13 surgeries and over 50 hospitalizations to sustain and improve his life. However, these physical challenges have not taken away from his spirit. He is a beautiful young boy who brings a smile to anyone who meets him. He loves to laugh and his laugh is contagious. His favorite things to do are to be outside, listen to music, spend time with family and have stories read to him using silly voices.
After the birth of Jaden, specialists strongly advised that Christy and Mike not have more children due to the risk of this happening again. After much reflection, time, and consideration, Christy and Mike had an opportunity to revisit the thought of having another baby. Christy and Mike were able to find a surrogate and decided on fertility. During this process, Christy went on hormone injections and two surgeries for egg retrieval. Specialists were able to retrieve 26 eggs. After fertilization of all the eggs, only one embryo was healthy enough to implant into the surrogate. Unfortunately, the embryo did not survive. This was devastating and life changing for Christy to recognize that she will never be able to conceive through infertility.
Christy and Mike next decided to look into the opportunity of being a foster parent to a young child who needed a family. After much discussion, they made the difficult decision that this may not be the best path for their family. They worried that Jaden would not understand the concept of being a big brother and building a bond with a child who may go back to their parents at any time.
It has become clear that adoption is the right choice, and perhaps their long lasting, answered prayer that they have been seeking. Christy and Mike feel that this is the right time to bring more joy and love into their home through adoption. Their devotion, endless love, and humongous hearts have manifested in so many different ways throughout my years of knowing them. I strongly believe that this would be a wonderful opportunity.
Thank you for taking the time to read this special and heartfelt story. First, Christy and Mike, ask for prayers. Adoption is not simple or easy and they hope that others will pray for them to take the right steps as they embark on this long journey.
If you feel led, they could also use your financial support. Through the last two and a half years, they have spent approximately $40,000.00 on fertility treatments and surrogacy costs which they’re still paying for. The cost of adoption is around $50,000.00. It’s crazy to think that they’re paying this much money for something many people receive freely. They are extremely the most generous, selfless, and caring human beings that I get to call my best friends. Any child would be the luckiest child in the world to call them mom and dad!!! We are praying that God will find a way. Please give as you are able in helping the desires of their hearts become a reality. And please feel free to share their story to others!
A little more about her story…
Christy was a single mother to her son Nicholas when she met Mike, her husband. He immediately took on the role of a father figure to Nicholas, who was 5 years old at the time. After finishing their degrees when Nicholas was 9, Christy became a Registered Nurse and Mike a Special Ed teacher. They were ready and on their way to add on to their family. They excitedly got pregnant only to find out 3 miscarriages would follow. After seeking multiple specialists, they finally became pregnant with our special boy Jaden. Approximately 23 weeks into the pregnancy, Christy started showing signs of preeclampsia (high blood pressure and swelling during pregnancy) which then lead to an undiagnosed case of HELLPP Syndrome, which causes the body to reject the baby as a foreign object. HELLPP Syndrome is very rare and only occurs in 5% of all pregnancies. It can be life threatening in both mother and child. The diagnosis of HELLPP Syndrome led to Christy’s emergency C-section at 25 weeks and 5 days gestation of pregnancy. As doctors were pouring platelets into Christy to keep her alive, another team of doctors were delivering our little Jaden. He was a miracle baby. He weighed 1 pound, 11 ounces at birth. He was so tiny he could fit in the palm of your hand.
During the early months of Jaden’s life, Jaden was diagnosed with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. Jaden is non-ambulatory, dependent on g-tube feedings for nutrition, hydration and medications, and requires full 24-hour care. Since birth, Jaden has endured 13 surgeries and over 50 hospitalizations to sustain and improve his life. However, these physical challenges have not taken away from his spirit. He is a beautiful young boy who brings a smile to anyone who meets him. He loves to laugh and his laugh is contagious. His favorite things to do are to be outside, listen to music, spend time with family and have stories read to him using silly voices.
After the birth of Jaden, specialists strongly advised that Christy and Mike not have more children due to the risk of this happening again. After much reflection, time, and consideration, Christy and Mike had an opportunity to revisit the thought of having another baby. Christy and Mike were able to find a surrogate and decided on fertility. During this process, Christy went on hormone injections and two surgeries for egg retrieval. Specialists were able to retrieve 26 eggs. After fertilization of all the eggs, only one embryo was healthy enough to implant into the surrogate. Unfortunately, the embryo did not survive. This was devastating and life changing for Christy to recognize that she will never be able to conceive through infertility.
Christy and Mike next decided to look into the opportunity of being a foster parent to a young child who needed a family. After much discussion, they made the difficult decision that this may not be the best path for their family. They worried that Jaden would not understand the concept of being a big brother and building a bond with a child who may go back to their parents at any time.
It has become clear that adoption is the right choice, and perhaps their long lasting, answered prayer that they have been seeking. Christy and Mike feel that this is the right time to bring more joy and love into their home through adoption. Their devotion, endless love, and humongous hearts have manifested in so many different ways throughout my years of knowing them. I strongly believe that this would be a wonderful opportunity.
Thank you for taking the time to read this special and heartfelt story. First, Christy and Mike, ask for prayers. Adoption is not simple or easy and they hope that others will pray for them to take the right steps as they embark on this long journey.
If you feel led, they could also use your financial support. Through the last two and a half years, they have spent approximately $40,000.00 on fertility treatments and surrogacy costs which they’re still paying for. The cost of adoption is around $50,000.00. It’s crazy to think that they’re paying this much money for something many people receive freely. They are extremely the most generous, selfless, and caring human beings that I get to call my best friends. Any child would be the luckiest child in the world to call them mom and dad!!! We are praying that God will find a way. Please give as you are able in helping the desires of their hearts become a reality. And please feel free to share their story to others!
Organizer and beneficiary
Paola Garcia
Organizer
Bartlett, IL
Christy Russell-Birkett
Beneficiary
