At 24 weeks into my twin pregnancy, I was rushed to the hospital with bleeding and preterm labor. Doctors determined that Madison was showing signs of distress. The neonatologists provided me with stats on viability at 24 weeks and the medical complications that could arise should the twins come this early. Thankfully, I did not go into full labor and Madison’s heart rate returned to normal. However, I continued to experience contractions and the medical team could not determine the source of my bleeding. At the same time, Madison had been diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction. I remained in the hospital hoping to get the twins to 33 weeks before delivering. 

When the twins were 27 weeks and five days old, and I had been in the hospital on total bedrest for 22 days, the nurses came running in to put me on oxygen. Madison’s heart rate was dropping and did not recover as quickly as they wanted. The doctors determined that for Madison to survive, we would have to deliver the twins via emergency c-section that day.  Madison weighed 1 pound 2 ounces and was only 10 1/2 inches long. She was placed on a ventilator immediately as she was not able to breath on her own. Her brother Joshua weighed 2 pounds 1 ounce, was 14 inches long, and required oxygen support as well.  While in the NICU, Madison received medication several times to close her patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), blood transfusions, and several rounds of antibiotics to fight off infections. She remained on the ventilator for five weeks and after a short course of steroids, she was able to breathe without support. After 75 days in the NICU, Madison came home. Both she and her brother were discharged on oxygen support, which continued for several months thereafter. Since their early arrival, we have seen more doctors, experts, and therapists than I can count. Madison has been diagnosed with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, Chronic Lung Disease, and Apraxia among other conditions.

Madison is 12-years old and attends The Link School—a private educational facility that focuses on hands-on learning. She thrives there and enjoys many typical childhood experiences such as pizza and ice cream. She is also an avid hoverboard enthusiast with a passion for Cat in the Hat and Boba Fett. She is a sweet, silly, pink-loving girl. We often call her Goldilocks because she loves to try every bed in the house until she finds the one that is just right. If you ask her what she is doing, she says, “I’m getting cozy.”

Madison survived her birth trauma because of her strength and determination. This little spitfire has defied the odds and she continues to work hard in all that she does. We are so blessed that God chose us to be Joshua and Madison’s parents. And we are grateful to Sunshine on a Raney Day for providing a Madison with a bedroom makeover.

Photography by Birchfield Photography

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Reid is a somewhat shy seven-year-old boy who was born with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa; an extremely painful and debilitating genetic skin disease. At birth, Reid was missing large pieces of skin on his back, legs, hands and arms. Kids born with RDEB lack a critical protein that binds our layers of skin together like velcro. Without this protein, Collagen VII, Reid’s skin blisters and tears all over his body, mouth, esophagus, and eyes. What he and others with this severe form of the disease go through is beyond anyone’s comprehension. Reid endures extremely painful daily bandage changes. The severe wounds all over his body must be carefully cleaned and his mother must puncture any blisters to prevent them from spreading. Without the Collagen VII protein, blisters develop from the slightest friction (clothes seams, car seats, daily life) and can get larger because the velcro is not there to stop the spreading. 

Despite living with this debilitating condition, Reid enjoys building with Lincoln Logs and riding his plasma bike. He also enjoys the company of his two older siblings, Avery and Barret. Although Reid has a feeding tube, he loves food! Even though eating can be painful, he enjoys small bites of cheese pizza and hotdogs when he doesn’t have any blisters in his mouth or throat. He is homeschooled and loves listening to Christian Hip Hop or watching The Spy Ninjas on YouTube.

Photography by Pear Tree Photography

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Moms of boys remember the time when their little boy’s height surpassed their own. They mark a wall, the boy talks smack to mom, and they laugh as if it’s a right of passage. It is no different for 15-year-old twins Aidan and Brendan. At 6 feet and nearly 6 feet, they present the picture of grown men next to petite 5’3″ mom. Born at 28 weeks, the twins have differing degrees of Autism. Aidan is more moderate; with his developmental delays, he functions at an eight-year-old level. Brendan is non-verbal, and communication is challenging as he struggles to learn signs. Developmentally, he is in the 3 to 4-year-old range, and also has epilepsy.

In addition to school and therapy, the boys enjoy traditional favorite past times. Aidan loves Pokemon, Toystory, and Minecraft. He loves learning about the weather; but, he finds great comfort in his favorite weighted blanket when thunderstorms roll around. Like so many teen boys, Brendan is a UGA fan, “Go Dawgs!” and loves to play golf. You can also find him enjoying the perennial favorites, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, on evening TV. Both boys share in the excitement of Christmas as we all know Santa knows no age.

A dream bedroom makeover will maximize the space and make it comfortable for young men — Sunshine On A Ranney Day’s specialty.

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For most of us, the sound of a child’s breathing elicits a sense of tranquility and calm. For nine-year-old Eliavah, the sound of her sister breathing in her sleep is far worse than the proverbial fingernails on a chalkboard. Eliavah suffers from misophonia, which creates intense fight or flight responses and anxiety triggered by specific sounds many people don’t even notice. It is one of many diagnoses she has, including Tetralogy of Fallot, congenital heart abnormalities for which she had surgery at four months, hypotonia, which contributed to her pervasive developmental delays in both fine and gross motor skills and ADHD. Eliavah is not able to share a bedroom with her sister as the sound causes great anxiety and affects her sleep. Her day to day life is quite stressful as her body physically reacts to trigger noises, yet she keeps her positive attitude and love for learning.

Since she cannot share a room with her sister, Eliavah currently sleeps in her baby brother’s room, and he sleeps in their parent’s room. It is not easy for Eliavah to find a place in her home where she can unwind and safely escape the many stimuli of a typical family home.
Eliavah’s parents would love to turn their dining room into a bedroom for her. They imagine a place where Eliavah will have a sensory-friendly sanctuary of her own. Like most nine-year-old girls, she would love to listen to her favorite music ( David Bowie and Michael Jackson) in a bean bag chair surrounded by her stuffed animals, barbies, and crafts without stimuli that trigger negative responses. Eliavah’s heart has remained healthy, and she has such a passion and love for life. One day she hopes to be a Vet or maybe even be in a band with her best friend, her sister.

A new bedroom in the home would not only enable Eliavah to safely escape from the sensory overload of day to day life, but it will also allow her brother to move to his own room. Eliavah’s dedicated parents will have their bedroom to themselves – something most of us take for granted, and the peace of mind that Eliavah is safe and comfortable.

Photography by Dinah Sutton Photography