While our hearts are full of love and joy for our two daughters, our journey as a family has been anything but easy. Our little Brinley was born with a number of serious health challenges that have required countless medical interventions and the strength of a warrior to overcome.
Brinley was born with Down syndrome, as well as a congenital heart defect known as an AV Canal Defect, in addition to an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), which are holes between the chambers of her heart. Her heart is missing two chambers and two valves, which means it has to work much harder to pump blood and keep her body going. This condition has placed an enormous strain on her already fragile body, and we’ve watched as our tiny girl fights every single day to survive and thrive.
When Brinley was just one month old, she had her first surgery to place a G-tube, as her heart and lungs were too fragile to allow her to eat by mouth. She now relies on her feeding tube for all of her nutrition, and her respiratory state is constantly unstable. Brinley experiences retracted breathing and requires continuous oxygen just to keep her oxygen levels stable. Every breath she takes is a reminder of how hard her little body is working just to survive.
Now, Brinley is preparing for her next big challenge — open-heart surgery in Seattle to repair her heart and give her the chance to grow and thrive. While we are hopeful that this surgery will help Brinley, the doctors are also closely monitoring her for pulmonary hypertension, which could require a second surgery down the line. The journey ahead is full of uncertainty, but we know our little fighter will continue to show us just how strong she is.
Brinley’s strength has already left a lasting impact on everyone who meets her. She spent 36 days in the NICU at a hospital two hours away from home, constantly fighting through every setback, always showing so much strength packed into her tiny body. We split our time between her bedside and caring for our older daughter, Blakely, back home. Those days were filled with worry, tears, and overwhelming love, but Brinley never stopped fighting. Despite the many obstacles she’s faced, she has never stopped smiling — a constant reminder that even the tiniest hearts can be the strongest.
Now, as we prepare to travel from Butte, Montana to Seattle for Brinley’s heart surgery, we are facing the heavy financial burden of being away from home for several weeks. The costs associated with lodging, food, travel, missed work, and ongoing medical expenses are overwhelming. We are doing our best to stay strong and focused on Brinley’s recovery, but we can’t do it alone.
We are asking for your help during this incredibly difficult time. Every donation, no matter how small, will go directly toward the following expenses:
- Gas, lodging, and meals while we’re in Seattle for Brinley’s surgery and recovery
- Lost income due to missed work while we care for Brinley
- Medical expenses for Brinley’s oxygen and G-tube supplies that are not covered by insurance
We understand that times are tough for everyone, but if you are able to help, it would make a world of difference for our family. Your generosity will allow us to stay by Brinley’s side during this critical time and help ease the weight of the financial strain so we can focus on what matters most — helping our baby girl heal and grow stronger every day.
We are so grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support we’ve already received from family, friends, and strangers alike. It has meant the world to us and has been a source of strength during this difficult journey. Brinley’s light has touched the hearts of everyone who has met her, and we are confident that with your help, we can continue to support her as she fights for her health.
Please consider donating or sharing Brinley’s story. Your kindness and generosity will help our family stay together during this challenging time and will allow us to focus on what truly matters — being there for Brinley as she undergoes surgery and works toward a brighter future.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support, love, and prayers. We are so grateful for you being part of this journey with us.
With love and gratitude,
Melissa, Noah, Blakely, and Brinley.