Stephanie & Baby Joseph


Hi everyone! Welcome to our  go fund me page. I’d like to introduce myself and my handsome boys Joseph and David. I am a 27 year old single mother of 2 beautiful twin boys. Joseph and David were born on May 2nd 2018. Joseph weighed 2.3 lbs and his brother David 2.6 lbs. They were both born at 28 weeks and 1 day premature. 

Unfortunatley,  David had a few anomalies when born. Little David had what is called a encephalocele positioned towards the bottom of his skull. An encephalocele is an opening on the skull which was never closed during the beginning of the first trimester. Therefor, leaving his brain matter exposed on the outside of his skull. David also had a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. His heart worked great, but the hernia had pushed his strong  little heart to the opposite side of his chest. Lastly, when born doctors had found that he also had what is called an anencephaly. His little skull did not mature and grow to where his exposed brain could be placed back in.
Doctors and I had made a plan for David when he was born. I had decided on two things. When born and the damage that was  done to David was not as bad as it seemed, then we would go ahead and follow through doing surgery. But, if my little David was not strong enough and surgery would do more damage than healing. Then I chose to let him live for the time he had left on this earth with his mother. This choice was the hardest choice I’ve ever had to make. 

When David was born, doctors pulled my brother aside and informed him that they couldn’t do anything else for David medically. The anencephaly that was discovered was to far grown that his brain could not fit back in and would be leaving his brain exposed.

Therefor leaving me with the hardest reality to face that my son would not live. God took one of my sons but blessed me with a son that looks identical to his brother. He took my David but gave me the blessing of raising his brother Joseph.

When I was  taken to the recovery room after  having my C-section, doctors asked if I would like to see David. We took measures to have David in a state where he would not be in pain when he would pass away and go to heaven. I held David in my arms for his last four breaths and 5 hours of life. I continued to hold him for the next two days as I could not go through with finally letting him go and giving him to God. I made my peace with him that day and gave him to God. 

I had to let him go to be able to give his little brother Joseph the life he deserves and needs. Soon after Joseph and David were born, they took Joseph to the Neonatal ICU. During his current stay in the Neonatal ICU, Joseph has been intubated four times, gone through 2 infections and had several IV’s placed through out his body including a central line on the side of his neck. 

Joseph is a strong little boy who is now thriving in the NICU and fighting everyday to be able to come home. He is currently only on oxygen and a couple other medications to help with different levels. 

Im asking for help for Joseph and myself to be able to get back up on my feet after being on bed rest since November. Since I only have my mother helping with expenses for myself and the baby, I’m asking for help. Id like to be able to get back up on my feet and continue  to go to school and have the funds to give Joseph the life he needs. The smallest contribution would mean the world to us. I’d like to just be able to help my mother out while I finish school and have the career that will give Joseph and I a life of pure happiness. 

Thank you all so much for listening to our story... and thank you for your donations and shares. 


Always with love,

Stephanie