Neighbor Builds Hope After Loss of Twins

Four years ago, December 21st brought devastation into my neighbors’ home. Something they never thought they’d face. Chad and Bilan were expecting two beautiful baby twin boys when, at 34 weeks pregnant, Bilan woke up in the middle of the night because she couldn’t feel them moving. Because she was experiencing other complications that had been previously dismissed by doctors, they rushed to the hospital; they knew something was wrong. Two carseats in tow, two cribs waiting at home, two parents-to-be in anxious anticipation and worry. On December 23rd, Chad and Bilan returned home with no babies and two broken hearts. It was later determined that Bilan had developed Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP), which had caused her placenta to detach, leading to the loss of baby boys Liam and Noah. Through this storm, they weathered the pain, the heartache, the complete loss, a feeling unlike any other. Through this storm, they waited for their rainbow. The Hockers have since been extraordinarily blessed with two rainbow babies, Landon (3 yrs) and Hannah (3 weeks). 

     Bilan and Chad have had a wish to have a memorial created in the twins’ name, a place they could take their children to. A place where they can watch the excitement of kids at play, laughing and enjoying life at its purest. And, what happier place for a kid than a playground? I have decided to make this dream a reality for them. I have always loved doing even the littlest of things to make those around me smile. It is truly exhilarating to give and expect absolutely nothing in return. I am hoping to fundraise $40,000 to replace the playground at Manchester Hill Park with “Hope Playground”, in memory of twins Liam and Noah, and in celebration of rainbow babies all over. I have presented my project to the Muskego Common Council, along with a cost share proposal for the City to match the donation to cover the removal of the old playground equipment and installation of the new, along with landscaping and other miscellaneous expenses. The project has been approved and I am ready to let the fundraiser begin! 

     Please join me on this journey of inspiring hope! Nobody can help a neighbor get through something like this, no seventeen-year-old can begin to fathom how something like this feels, but they can definitely help a neighbor find hope in it. We may not all have a story like that of the Hockers--or maybe some of us do--but we do all have a reason to rely on “hope”, especially during the times we face today!