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Full Trisomy 13 - Wauseon, Ohio (OH)
Picture # 1 "Our Joy - April, Kyle and Magen - 1984 Before Magen's lip
repair. Soon after Kyle was born.
Picture # 2 - Magen School Picture December 1985
Picture #3 - Magen's 4th Birthday Party. sadly, her last.
Picture #4 - Magen and Kyle 1987 @ Grandma and Grandpa's Smith. Mom took
them over to Grandma and Grandpas while we went to Florida to Bobbi's
Graduation.
Picture #5 - Magen playing on the floor at Grandma and Grandpa's. Summer
1987 She always loved playing at their house and they loved having her
Picture #6 - Magen @ 8 days old. Our little angel
Picture #7 - Kyle's Birthday 1986 - The three Amigos
Picture #8- First Barrette
From my dad, Kevin Smith: Just a few comments. This is from the start of
Magen's life with us.
One thing that was so special is that Kyle and April never saw anything but
a normal, beautiful sister. Kyle always thought that he was older than Magen
and that she was a "baby.
When she was born, her mother and I were in the room in tears. The nurse
came in and asked us if we were crying for her or because of her. It really
made me search my soul for about 2 seconds and I realized that I was crying
for her. All I could think about was her and making sure she was alright. We
didn't want to lose her and wanted them to do everything they could for her.
Magen was baptized in the hospital because we were not sure that she was
going to make it and we wanted to be sure that she was ready, just in case.
They transferred her to Toledo Hospital and placed her in the ICU unit. I
visited everyday until I was able to bring her mother to see her. Her hands
were so tight and clinched in a fist and the nurses said that she would
probably never be able to open them. Lisa and I worked with them every day
and she was able to not only open her hands but she used them very well,
sometimes too well.
We had a Doctor, who was the head of the department, and on Lisa's first day
out of the hospital, he told us to just go home and forget about her. What
an ass. Other doctors suggested the same thing and one even said that it was
too bad that she didn't die at birth. Needless to say that didn't go over
very well. My wife was her number one advocate, and always ensured that she
fought for anything that Magen needed. Lisa became a stay at home mom with
all 3 kids, which no words can describe how much love and work she put into
them- they are and were her life.
_______________________________________________________________
My sister touched everyone that she came in contact, as she had an
infectious smile and laugh. I don't know who I would be today without having
known her- she was truly my soul mate. We were best friends as children, and
even as an adult she is with me everyday. Even though I would wish for more
time with her, I still could not have asked for a more special gift than the
time I did have with her- because of her, I have had a direction and a
calling in life.
A comment I sent to the LWT13 website: I was looking through the website,
and remembering my sister, Magen. She was born November 10, 1982 with
Trisomy 13. Like many of the other stories, my parents were told to leave
her at the hospital, as she would not live for more than a few days and
would be a "vegetable". How wrong they were! She was the light of our
family, and had so much life and energy. She was learing to walk before
passing away in Sept. 1987. So much for only thinking she would live such a
short time. I am so thankful that my parents were so strong and brought her
home- my life would not have been the same. Because of her, I work daily
with individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and
truly have a different perspective on life and my job. Thank you to all the
other families who have allowed people like me into your homes- it's truly a
blessing!
April Smith tweety4bird@yahoo.com
Parents: Kevin and Lisa Smith kevin.smith@pioneer.com
Siblings: April Smith-Petz tweety4bird@yahoo.com and Kyle Smith
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