In Loving Memory of Our Little Angel,Caitlin

It is with a heavy heart that we invite you to join me in honoring the memory of my dear friend’s daughter Caitlin. Caitlin had recently celebrated her 11th birthday.

In November 2012, Jennifer, Andrew and big sister Madeline welcomed precious Caitlin into the world. From the day Caitlin arrived into this world she was loved unconditionally. Madeline was ecstatic that she was a big sister to Caitlin looking forward to sharing life long memories together. In early 2013 at only 9 weeks old, the family’s lives were forever changed when Caitlin was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA type 1). The doctors told Jennifer and Andrew to enjoy this time with Caitlin as their time with their baby girl would be very limited as she was only given a few months to live. Less then 10% of children with type 1 SMA survive to celebrate their first birthday and less than 5% of children survive to celebrate their second birthday. However, Caitlin was a fighter and did not agree with the doctors’ timeline.

SMA is a rare muscular genetic disorder affecting ~1 in 10,000 children and although Caitlin was never able to meet milestones of healthy children whether it be rolling over, sitting up, standing and speaking … those who knew Caitlin were able to communicate with her in their own special way.

Even though SMA robbed Caitlin of the strength needed to perform any basic life functions, SMA did not affect her mind. Caitlin adored Winnie The Pooh, Fancy Nancy and the Madeline story books. Caitlin loved learning and her favorites were being read to, watching animal and nature documentaries, solving math problems in her head, and participating in science experiments.

Every day for the past 11+ years, Jennifer dedicated her life caring for Caitlin as her own personal ICU nurse, tirelessly advocating for everything that Caitlin needed and ensuring she had the best care possible. Jennifer was at Caitlin’s side providing all of her care day and night 24/7 as Caitlin did not have nursing. Caitlin was unable to breathe, clear her secretions, move, eat or perform any basic life functions on her own. Caitlin had been dependent on life support machines since her diagnosis. As medically fragile as Caitlin was, she stayed healthy and out of the hospital for the past 10.5 years with the exception of a few days in 2018. Caitlin’s care team at Stanford were amazed with Jennifer’s dedication to her daughter and of the level of care that Jennifer provided to Caitlin and with how remarkably well Caitlin was doing.

Just before Christmas as their family was getting ready to celebrate the holidays together, Caitlin had an emergency and needed to be rushed to the ER via ambulance before being transferred to the PICU at another hospital. Even though Caitlin was extremely fragile and in critical condition, she was not ready to say goodbye. The doctors were able to stabilize Caitlin and were hopeful that she would be able to recover. After a few days in the hospital, Caitlin’s doctors shared news that no parent wants to ever hear and that was that they could not save her. Caitlin’s doctors were able to make Caitlin comfortable allowing Jennifer, Andrew and Madeline to spend a little more precious time with Caitlin reading her favorite Christmas stories, Madeline showing off her artistic side creating memorials with Caitlin, and the family cuddling Caitlin and holding her precious little hands.

Jennifer, Andrew and Madeline said their final goodbyes to Caitlin and Caitlin passed over Christmas in her mother’s arms with her father and big sister by her side holding her hands. They know that in their hearts that even though Caitlin is not with them anymore physically, whether the sun is shining, the stars are sparkling or the birds are singing, Caitlin is looking down on them and smiling. The first night home without Caitlin, they looked out the window and saw the most beautiful sunset with the sky painted bold pink and purple, Caitlin’s favorite colors.

We are all devastated by Caitlin’s passing and want to assist the family financially during this time of need so the family can be together, comfort one another, heal together and not be overwhelmed with financial worries. With Caitlin’s passing, Jennifer’s limited income from the state from her caring for Caitlin abruptly stopped. It will be some time before Jennifer will be strong enough to even be able to think about looking for work.

If you can help (support) in any way by donations, sharing and prayers, the Ahern family would be extremely grateful. They have been through so much emotionally over these past few weeks and given that this happened over the Christmas holiday, it is making it even harder for them.

If you are able to, please donate to help Jennifer and Andrew with memorial expenses and to help ease other expenses allowing them to focus on supporting each other and Madeline while they grieve the loss of their precious Caitlin. Any amount will be greatly appreciated. Please share the fundraiser so that we can come together to help surround the family with support as they try to heal from the heartbreak of losing their precious Caitlin. Thank you.