Baby Lowe

Sweet baby Lowe joined the Laudenslager family on June 6, 2022. Her parents and sister, Mahri, were so excited to add her to their family. Three days after Lowe was born she began having low oxygen levels, around 85%. When she was a month old, a swallow study showed she was aspirating her milk. It was discovered that Lowe had a laryngeal cleft, an abnormal opening between the larynx and the esophagus through which food and liquid can pass through the larynx into the lungs. Lowe had to be intubated for a few days post-surgery. She struggled with the anesthesia. She's been hospitalized five times in these first six months of her life. The last time was for five weeks because she came down with Rhino Virus a couple of days post-op.

Despite Lowe’s struggles, she has brought so much joy to their family. “One of the most joyous and memorable experiences was bringing Lowe home from the hospital after her first month-long stay. We walked in the door and our three-year-old daughter, Mahri, was completely overwhelmed with excitement and joy. She screamed, she ran around, she cried. It seemed like it was the best day of her life!”

Just before Thanksgiving, Lowe was diagnosed with Tetrasomy 18p. Tetrasomy 18p is an extremely rare chromosomal condition that affects many parts of the body. This condition usually causes feeding difficulties in infancy, delayed development, intellectual disabilities that can be severe, changes in muscle tone, distinctive facial features, and other congenital disabilities.

Due to the Tetrasomy 18p, Lowe will need many different therapies in the future: occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and special education. Her parents hope she will lead a life of joy and love, full of tremendous experiences, whatever that means to her. “She will be writing her story. We will be there for her every step of the way! One day at a time, I guess!”

The Laudenslagers are some of the most kind and generous people I know. Aaron has spent much of his career helping to raise funds for those that need it most. Unfortunately, right before Lowe received her diagnosis, Aaron was impacted by a work force reduction.

This Go Fund Me Campaign is being created to help the Laudneslagers continue providing necessary healthcare for Lowe and to ensure they can spend this season focused on what really matters.