A few months ago, I asked you to pray for my friend’s little baby granddaughter and you all stood up and joined hands and prayed hard. Baby Gwen came into this world a beautiful little flower…but some of her petals were damaged. She has arthrogryposis…a rare congenital defect that affects multiple joints. There are typically joint contractures which may be stuck in one position. The muscles surrounding these joints may be weak, stiff, or even missing altogether. Little Gwen’s left leg was bent backwards and lay across her tummy. Her feet and hands are turned inward and her little chin is drastically receded.
As Gwen has grown, some of these contractures have needed to be addressed more urgently. Because her lower jaw recedes, she cannot drink from a bottle. She eventually had a stomach tube placed to get tube feedings directly into her stomach. And, because she can’t swallow, her normal saliva can choke her to death. She has to have someone awake with her 24/7 in order to suction her airway when her secretions get in her way. Between her airway and tube feedings, physical therapy and doctor’s visits, little Gwen is more than a fulltime job. I’m telling you this though…God couldn’t have given her to a better family than the one she’s in.
The latest surgery was a tendectomy. This will clear the way for eventually walking. I know it’s hard to imagine her ever walking when you look at that newborn picture, but she has had a series of casts as well as the surgery and her legs are down much closer where they need to be. She is just now being able to coo and gurgle baby gibberish and it makes your heart soar when you see her in a video. Her huge, sensitive eyes look into your very soul. She is the sweetest little thing.
Gwen’s parents are young. Mommy had to quit her job to stay home with the baby. With all the expenses that go along with a situation like this, there is also a Go Fund Me page to help with daily expenses and challenges. I rarely share this kind of thing, asking for donations, but I know this family personally. They are a wonderful, close knit family who needs a little extra help. It’s the end of the year. If you find you need to donate a little more, or if the Spirit moves you, please consider helping this young family out.
You can find Gwendolyn’s story at:
https://www.facebook.com/GwendolynsJourney/
You can find their Go Fund Me page at:
https://www.gofundme.com/gwendolyn-strong
“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been born blind. His followers asked him, “Teacher, whose sin caused this man to be born blind—his own sin or his parents’ sin?” Jesus answered, “It is not this man’s sin or his parents’ sin that made him blind. This man was born blind so that God’s power could be shown in him.”
John 9:1-3 ICB
I will be praying for baby Gwen?
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This story of Gwendolyn’s journey touches my heart.My Grandson And wife just gave birth to a sweet and healthy girl.My heart breaks for this sweet family and sweet Gwendolyn .at first I wanted to ask why but then God answered my question even before I asked it.God chose a very strong family which he knew could love and care for this sweet flower they are up to the task.my prayers go up for them.
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Such a beautiful child! Beautifully-written story Ginny. Nothing is impossible with God but even if she isn’t healed, she’s perfect and beautiful just the way she is!
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She’s a sweetie! Thankfully, there are some surgical procedures available that may help improve her quality of life. Sending prayers for this dear child. And, if you find it in your heart, please pray for our friends’ little 2-1/2 year old daughter, Nevaeh, who was born with Epidermolysis Bullosa (junctional) a genetic disorder for which there is no cure or surgical procedure.
She is in my prayers, Sharon. I have read how tragic that disorder is. Prayers for comfort and gentleness, patience, strength and courage. And for a cure! ❤️
She’s beautiful. Praying she will have a beautiful life to match.
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When I was around 25 I worked in a daycare in the infants room and there was a beautiful little girl that was in a bodycast, I’m not sure what disease she had I just know I became her caregiver because the others didn’t want to be “bothered” because she was heavy, hard to feed and change but to me she was light and lit up my days. We weren’t suppose to have favorites but she was mine!! When I had to change jobs my heart broke and I still think about her and wonder where she is now.
If you remember her name, you can do a Facebook search. ❤️
I to have a sweet intelligent grand daughter who was born with the same condition as your child. They are a blessing from God above. She now is 15 year old still in her wheelchair but she is making progress every day. She is a strong fighter and she never give up on what she cannot do. they said that she will never set up or hold anything to. We the grandparents believe in the power of prayer. when she turn two years old she herself got out of her toddler bed and been setting up on her own since. her hands are no longer folded in take came open and flexed out on their own. she can stand from time to time with the help of holding on to something because the muscle in her arms, she do not have any so she can hold on for a few minutes only. Im praying the day she walk that is her miracle she wants the lord to do for her. Keep her in your prayers as we do for yours likewise her name is charity. I gave her that name because in the bible her name means “love and that what she does always words that will warm your heart if you ever met her. we live in jersey city. thank you for sharing your story with us.
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