Sometimes on Twitter you end up ‘meeting’ someone in the most roundabout way, and they change your life. Such is the case with Kristine Brite McCormick.
Kristine was happily tucked in at home, rocking and nursing her sweet five day old baby girl Cora when the unthinkable happened. One moment she looked down at Cora’s sweet milk drunk face happily and drowsily nursing and felt nothing but bliss. A few moments later a second glance provided nothing but terror. Sweet Cora’s face was covered with blood and she was limp. Gone. Dead. Just like that. In a matter of seconds Kristine’s life went from a dream to a nightmare.
She went through all of the thoughts I would have gone through…did I do something? Could this have been prevented? Kristine had a picture perfect pregnancy and Cora had been declared beautiful and healthy at the hospital. There was no indication that something might be wrong. What had happened?Once she had her answers Kristine began a journey that I only wish I would have the strength to embark on. She began saving babies lives. Immediately. Kristine says:
She’d like to be the only mother who has that experience from here on out.
You see Cora suffered from CHD, Congenital Heart Disease the number one birth defect and the number one killer of children. More than all the childhood cancers combined. Kristine had never heard of such a disease, as I had never heard of it and perhaps you haven’t either.
The worst (and best) is that Cora’s chances of survival would have been helped immeasurably by one simple test administered within the first 24-48 hours of her life. A cheap, painless, non-invasive test. A pulse oximetry test. You know…that clothespin-esque thing they clip on your pointer finger when you are in labor, or anytime you are in the hospital.
That simple test might have saved her life, and the lives of many other babies. It’s not normally given, but can be requested! Kristine is on a mission to educate all mothers and mothers to be about CHD and this simple test. This week is CHD awareness week and I hope you will take a few moments to read her story and think about requesting a pulse ox test on your baby to be. I know that when (please God) I have my next baby I will be requesting one. It’s simple and easy and can save lives.
As a mother I look at my child and I see every child. Every child hurt or orphaned in Haiti is my child. Max playing and dancing is Cora…he is blessed with a life she was not to have.
If you believe everything happens for a reason then we must believe that Cora was meant to live five glorious days so that many other babies could live long healthy lives. Cora had something very, very special. Her parents Kristine and Ben.
My life is changed. I am now aware. I am certain to have that test done on any and all future babies, as will all my friends.
I hope you will too.
You can read her story here: Cora’s Story
Stephanie Says... 