In commemoration of the launch of our latest ALEX AND ANI | CHARITY BY DESIGN bangle, the Cherub, we’re honored to welcome Clif and Amber Alston as guest bloggers.
In the narrative below, the Alston’s discuss their daughter’s health issues and how Hasbro Children’s Hospital has been instrumental in her recovery through quality care and cutting edge therapy.
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We always planned on having children. We carefully considered our baby’s name, picked out cute clothing and planned what the nursery would look like. We thought we planned for everything. However, we didn’t plan on staying at the hospital for over 180 days.
Our daughter, Paige, was born with an omphalocele – an abdominal wall defect which causes internal organs to develop outside the body in a clear sac. In addition to having an omphalocele, our beautiful baby girl was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, a heart condition known as an ASD. As a result, she underwent open-heart surgery at only 3 months old and a tracheostomy to help her breathe. Words could never describe the emotions we felt as our tiny angel fought for her life.
To date, Paige has had 13 procedures with more still to come. Occupational, speech, and physical therapy have become a weekly occurrence. Although the road ahead is long, Paige gives us tiny miracles every day. Her recovery has been a direct result of not only her strength and determination, but because of the wonderful staff, incredible care, and capabilities at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
If you’re like us, you don’t stop to think about what makes this possible. You assume that all hospitals “just have these things.” Unfortunately, this is never the case.
During our six month stay at Hasbro Children’s Hospital, we learned about just how much of their work is the direct result of generous philanthropic donations. Items like Paige’s specialty crib and the comfortable furniture in the family waiting area – which serves as a home away from home for families like ours during a childs hospitalization. Not to mention the toys, blankets and pillowcases that Paige received on a regular basis. Extras like these and many, many more would not be possible without the efforts and support of companies like ALEX AND ANI.
The new ALEX AND ANI Cherub Charm Bangle created to continue raising money for Hasbro Children’s Hospital is beautiful. Throughout Paige’s journey, we always felt that there were angels everywhere looking out for us – in the doctors and nurses who cared for our daughter, and in the donors who make so much possible. The decision ALEX AND ANI made to continue supporting the hospital through this new charm is just perfect; we know the funds it will raise will help families just like ours.
As we look at our miracle child each and every day, there is no doubt in our minds that we would not be where we are today without Hasbro Children’s Hospital and the many people and businesses that selflessly support their life-saving care.