Our Springfield Moms Advisory Board member, Courtney Westlake, recently was blessed with the birth of her second child a daughter Brenna Helen Marie, on December 19, 2011. Brenna was born with a rare skin condition called Harlequin Ichthyosis (HI). Her skin lacks a certain protein which helps it form correctly, and instead it was formed as thick, white scales with ridges all over. She is currently in the NICU at St. John’s Children’s Hospital in a warm and moist environment, as she fights against the huge possibility of infections.
For Courtney and her family the introduction of HI was unexpected challenge. As a parent, the unexpected is something very real, and you can either accept challenges as burdens or embrace them as a blessing. You will be inspired by the strength and grace that Courtney and her family show every day as their daughter takes the careful steps to come home. Friends, family, acquaintances, friends of friends…everyone that hears about Brenna’s journey wants to help.
The grace and love for Brenna is a genuine reflection of the community of love and support that surrounds her.
I encourage you all to check out Courtney’s heartfelt blog. http://blessedbybrenna.blogspot.com/
We appreciate you keeping Brenna and her family in your daily thoughts and prayers.
Courtney’s Blog was wonderful…Prayers for the entire family