Hello, my name is Strawberry. I was born on June 4,2024.

You might wonder how I got so lucky to have the name "Strawberry." I have an older sister who faces some health challenges, including OCA type 1 and vision impairments. When she found out I was going to be a girl like her, she really wanted to be involved.

Strawberry’s Story

My name is Mary, and I am the mom to an extraordinary little girl named Strawberry. From the very beginning, Strawberry’s life has been shaped by complex medical challenges that have required constant care, advocacy, and resilience.

Strawberry was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition before birth (ant 34weeks) and her heart has been a central part of her medical journey ever since. As she grew, it became clear that her heart condition was more complex than initially thought, requiring ongoing monitoring and multiple hospital admissions. She has already undergone significant cardiac interventions, and in the coming weeks she will need another heart surgery as part of her long-term care plan.

In addition to her heart condition, Strawberry faces serious feeding and gastrointestinal challenges. She has struggled to tolerate feeds, gain weight, and maintain adequate nutrition, which has led to the need for feeding tubes and periods of intravenous nutrition. These issues have made growth and stability extremely difficult and have been a major reason for her frequent hospitalizations.

Strawberry has spent a large percentage of her life in the hospital, often for extended stays, while her medical team works to understand how her heart, digestive system, and overall development interact. Even now, her doctors are still trying to determine how she can safely and successfully thrive at home with the right supports in place.

Despite everything she has endured, Strawberry is full of joy. She is happy, social, and full of personality — truly the life of the party. Her smile and resilience are constant reminders of why we continue to fight so hard for her care and comfort.

How Your Support Helps

The funds raised through this GoFundMe will help cover the many costs that come with caring for a medically complex child. This includes specialized medical supplies and equipment, uncovered medications, travel and accommodation for long hospital stays, and most importantly, allowing me to remain by Strawberry’s side while she is hospitalized and recovering from surgery. Being present with her is essential — not only for her emotional well-being, but for her safety and advocacy.

Every donation, share, and message of support helps lift some of the weight off our family and allows us to focus on what matters most: keeping Strawberry safe, comfortable, and moving toward a future where she can spend more time at home.

Thank you for taking the time to read Strawberry’s story and for supporting our family in any way you can.