Annie, Age 11

Annie was born 12 weeks early and weighed only 1 lb. 15 ounces. The doctors gave her a 20% chance to live; she was so tiny that you could see through her skin. She was put on a breathing machine because her lungs were too premature and undeveloped to breathe on her own. When she was two days old, the doctors had to do a complete blood transfusion; at three days old she had a brain bleed. At first, they didn’t know how bad it was or if it did any damage, but in time they could see the effects. A shunt was put in her brain to drain the spinal fluid off. When she was three months old, her parents were allowed to take her home. However, when they arrived at the NICU to take her home, the doctor said the nurses were doing CPR on her because she had come down with e-coli meningitis.

Her shunt needed to be removed. She spent 2 1/2 more months in the NICU going through shunt surgeries and recovering. At 5 1/2 months old,Annie was able to go home. Her parents calculated that Annie has spent at least 3 to 3 1/2 years of her life in the hospital. She has had a total of about 80 surgeries, 42 of them have been shunt revisions. She has had meningitis twice, a feeding tube placed and removed, her skull expanded twice, her leg muscles stretched, sinus surgery, her neck fused and others. Some of Annie’s diagnose includes Cerebral Palsy, Hydrocephalus, right visual field defect, and extreme developmental delays.

She is so full of joy that it spreads to all who meet her. She loves to give hugs and says “hi” to any one that walks by her. Annie has an amazing and rare gift of refusing to complain, no matter how difficult or painful the circumstances.

Annie and her family are so grateful for DeVos Children’s Hospital and the wonderful doctors, nurses, and staff who have helped them through it all. Without DeVos Children’s Hospital, they would have to travel far away from home to get the proper treatment. For the family, the staff of DeVos has become a family. The family continues to see God’s amazing grace work in the life of Annie.

Update: Annie has a sister, Kierra, who is 22 months old. This will be Annie's 4th Dance Marathon! She loves to swim, go for walks, and build with Legos. Annie also loves puzzles. One of her favorite things to do is hand candy out to the Doctors and Nurses at DeVos Children's Hospital. Annie's family likes to camp, shop at Sam's/Costco and going on nature walks in Grand Haven.