Kayla and Ben welcomed their son, Risen Isaiah Satterlee, on Thursday, Dec. 29. At 20 weeks, they received a diagnosis of a rare neural tube defect called encephalocele. After declining the option of terminating him and choosing life for Risen, doctors continually shared the harsh reality of his prognosis. They said if he survived delivery that he would never walk, talk, eat or breathe on his own. Risen has been defying the odds since about 34 weeks in utero. He was a fighter in the womb and continues to fight in NICU. He is off oxygen and took his first bottle today. He has encephalocele removal surgery scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 5. The neurosurgeons are encouraged that he will have a short recovery period of only a few days if there are no complications. However, his NICU doctors will not release him until he can take a 40 mL bottle by mouth. They said it could be days or weeks.

Kayla and Ben have been asked how friends and family can show them support during this challenging time. Ben has stayed by Risen's bedside since he was born and Kayla has been traveling back and forth since being discharged from the hospital. They live about an hour from the hospital. They said they would appreciate help with gas for all the trips back and forth and/or for food while Ben is staying at the hospital. They do not know how long Risen will be in the NICU, they will know more after his surgery. Ben, Kayla, Zion, Nation and Risen all want to say thank you for continuing to pray over their family.