Posted on 12/12/2004 3:55:37 PM PST by AM2000
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- When most parents have a baby, they spend months dreaming about what their bundle of joy will look like. Will she look like mom? Will he have dad's eyes? But for one local Navy family, the birth of their daughter didn't give them the answers to those questions. Their daughter was born without a face.
When Tammy was pregnant, she knew something was wrong. At worst, they thought maybe their baby had a cleft lip.
So Tammy, and her husband Tom, went to the hospital happy, until the birth.
"The nurse is like, 'We got her stable, we need to rush her upstairs,'" explains Tom, as he recalls every minute of that day. "And the nurse asked, 'Do you want your wife to see her now?'"
Tom says he thought to himself, "Before she gets the shock I did, let me take a picture so she's prepared."
Tammy hadn't seen her new baby yet, because she almost bled to death during delivery. Tammy would be okay, meanwhile, dad went to take pictures of his new daughter.
But no matter what, these new parents had a wish. "That if there was something wrong, she wouldn't be alone. We wanted to make sure she felt loved," said Tom, as he began to cry. "She squeezed my hand."
Little Juliana is missing 30 - 40 percent of the bones in her face.
"She has no upper jaw, no cheek bones, no eye sockets, and she's missing the corner of her ear," explains Tom.
Her birth defect is called Treacher Collins Syndrome. Doctors say it's the worst case they've ever seen.
So, how do you get people to see past all the defects, and find her heart? For mom, it just hurts.
"I just wish people would ask questions. Don't just stare," says Tammy. "I guess the most hurtful thing came not long ago, a little girl said she was disgusting."
Juliana has to eat through her stomach, and she has a trach to breathe. Already, less than two years into her life, she's had 14 surgeries. Doctors say she could need at least 30 more.
Every time she goes to the hospital, doctors make a mold of her head, and then reconstruct her skull to figure out the next step.
It's a life-long process that's draining for Tammy and Tom. Even still, they're thankful and full of love for their sweet child.
"God never gives you more than you can handle. I figure she has a lot to show everyone... to show the world," says Tom.
If you are interested in helping the Wetmore family, a savings account is set up for donations at the Vystar Credit Union in Middleburg.
Donations can be made at ANY Vystar Credit Union to Juliana Wetmore at member number 2102465.
Direct donations can be sent to:
Juliana Wetmore
3018 Hickory Glenn Dr.
Orange Park, FL 32065
LORD GOD ALMIGHTY,
PLEASE touch her for your glory. Touch her out of your love. Touch her family. Make her every bit whole ahead of the doctors. Completely, please, Lord.
In Jesus' Name.
I admire you for trying to explain. I just dont believe you should give the impression that we must do somthing in order to be saved. It sounds like your playing the part of Pharisee. It kinda sounds like .........Im smart enough to get myself saved. We all deserve hell its just some of us are saved. Our lord dosent wish this guy was saved but somehow cant quite pull it off without his help. He is either saved and will be quickened in our lords choice of time or not.
I still think its cool that you want to help.
Much love
You know - I don't see the hatred and vile that the Dems accuse us of. I do see a huge number of caring people, who are giving all they can (prayers and more) for this girl and her family. It's a beautiful thing to see here - and I'm not at all surprised.
She was put on this Earth for a reason, and, probably not too far in the future, we'll all find out why.
God bless her.
Perhaps the young girl's family would consider a career in ministry for her. If she continues to grow in God's grace, she'll have a great and most important message to give to the world.
What incredible people.
I agree its helpfull in a discouraging world.
P.S. Check's on the way.
I'll say a prayer for the family and the child.
"Only for the sake of the hopeless are we given hope"
Amen.
Prayers and strength for the whole family.
They have a tough road to walk, and I hope they have the love and support of their community.
I'm sure they do, but just in case....
How right you are. At age 70, any problems I ever had or will have pale into insignificance compared to this.
Reminds me of the old saying, "I wept because I had no shoes . . . until I met a man who had no feet."
I'm not religious, but if ANY diety is watching, "Give this family a break."
Perhaps it was a poor choice of words on my part. Being saved is a personal decision---a decision and commitment to accept that which is freely offered by God to all who believe through our Savior, Jesus Christ. We can do nothing to earn this gift of salvation. A gift is either accepted or rejected. The consequences of the decision, however, are of eternal significance. God bless.
I was wondering about that, as well.
This deformity is also genetic, so the mother or father knew there was a chance. At least they weren't completely taken by surprise.
I am so very ashamed to admit that I first recoiled from the photograph of the child - it is not something I've ever seen before, and except for the story of that baby born without a brain but with a healthy brain stem, these types of situations confuse and anger me - one of those odd emotional mixes that come from being human and Christian.
Oh give me a freakin break...I am so pissed off now I can scream. You think this is an Angel from God? this is a genetic mistake. It used to be that nature took care of these things, and if a baby was not supposed to be, it wouldn't be. I'd like to know how much medical intervention was put into saving this baby. This is misery for the child, I won't even tell you what I think about parents that would put their children through that kind of misery. I cannot and will not make believe that this is some kind of miracle. She can't breathe on her own nor eat on her own. This is God's will? It's man's will. There are things worse than death. And spare me your inspirational stories. I want to puke right now.
OMG:( I will say a special prayer for this family tonight. People can be so cruel.
LOL!
Noah and the Ark was pretty intense, as well.
Like Marge Simpson said, "I don't know, Homey. In the Bible he's always smiting"
Yes it does. Oh my dear Lord.... prayers for this family and their child, and others like them.
Well, you didn't see my post 115, did you?
You and me both. I feel pretty pathetic complaining about my woes after reading this. Lord, please help to remember this the next time I feel like bellyaching. This family will be in my prayers.
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