Indigo Williamson

Last week the unimaginable happened. Over Thanksgiving weekend, instead of visiting family, the Williamsons were at home with Covid. The doctors assured them that Indigo and the others would be fine, as children often experience the mildest of cases. Instead, within minutes, one-year-old Indigo seemed to go from bad to worse. As she was suddenly struggling to breathe, Jake and Alison quickly put her in the car and headed to the hospital. Along the way, Indigo stopped breathing entirely and she went into cardiac arrest. They pulled over and Jake was able to perform CPR, while Allison called 911. An ambulance met them on the side of 95 and transported Indigo to the ER. Along the way, they stabilized her heartbeat. She nearly didn’t make it through the night.

Nearly two weeks later, Indigo’s lungs are slowly healing, though she remains on a ventilator. Much of her lungs had initially collapsed and the damage was severe. In just a short time, all the Williamsons have been through so much. With the daily highs come the lows…a big breakthrough this week was when Indigo opened her eyes a bit! It has given everybody hope that their sweet baby girl is indeed in there. Unfortunately, after some seizure activity, the doctors also discovered that Indigo has damage in multiple areas of her brain. Both the doctors and the Williamsons remain hopeful though; kids and their brains are amazing and capable of healing and forming new pathways.

Jake and Alison are holding vigil with Indigo in the hospital every minute of the day, reading to her, singing to her, sleeping by her side, slowly bringing her back. That very first night, Jake was singing to Indigo all the things they still have to do together, that she just has to stay. And Indigo is a little fighter! There is so much of this life that she has yet to live! In the next few days, the team will start cutting back on her sedation. Right now, it is unknown what the future holds. While we are all hoping for the best, the Williamsons also have to plan for the worst. Realistically it could be months before Indigo is ready to come home.

During this time, Jake has been approved for FMLA from his nursing career, but it is unpaid leave. So many folks have reached out with requests for how best to support the family. Though they hate to ask, any financial help to get the family through this time would be greatly appreciated. Alleviating any of the financial burden will allow Jake and Alison to focus on Indigo’s recovery, as well as the needs of the entire family. Any time spent together is paramount in this process. It will likely be a long road, as Indigo wakes up and slowly comes back to them. The Williamson family needs any and all the support we can give them. Keep thinking positive thoughts about baby Indigo, envisioning a full recovery. Think of that sweet, smiling, dancing girl. Sing her a song, read her a book, light a candle, and send prayers and good mojo out into the universe.

If you would like to donate via check or Venmo (to avoid added fees), you can email Alison, Jake, or Porter directly for the mailing address. Venmo @Jacob-D-Williamson

On behalf of Jake, Alison, and their family, thank you!