Help the Hayes Family Through This Heartbreaking Time

Sophia Hayes was born with a degenerative neurological condition.

Her family was gifted eight beautiful years of memories with her. She required 24-hour care throughout her entire life. Her mother was her primary constant caregiver. She took Sophie on adventures and outings and gave her an amazing quality of life. Sophia also had an amazing team of nurses, doctors and specialists that seemed to be ever expanding as her condition progressed. She had a fragile body, but a strong heart and a spirit that was brighter than the Sun. She truly was our sunshine!

Throughout her life, she always had a smile. Her mother discovered her infectious giggle and her father learned how to always bring it out of her. Even in her last days of life.

Despite nearly constant and often uncomfortable treatments.. being strapped to machines.. and poked and prodded so that we could discover how to best care for her, she almost never cried.

In February she spent 2 weeks at Primary Children's. Her life was saved by intubation on her 8th birthday. After returning home for a little over a week, a helicopter landed in front of her house to bring her back to the safety of the hospital. Her mother still believed that they just needed to tweak a few more treatments. But in the coming days learned that heavenly father had a different plan. It was going to be impossible for Sophie to come back home. She spent her final week surrounded by her family in a quiet corner of the ICU.

When she was removed from life support, she slowly slipped away in relative peace and comfort. She was in the arms of her loving mother and father, surrounded by all her siblings. Her father said that it felt like someone just turned off the Sun.

We are SO happy for Sophia that she has reached her earthly journeys and. But we will always miss her.