Hope is 2 years old and lives in Shelby Township, Michigan. She has a big brother, Johnathan who is 4 and is looking forward to becoming a big sister this fall. Hope likes unicorns, purple and pink, sparkly shoes, and My Little Pony. She is our sassy, sweet, cuddle bug. But more than anything, Hope is a warrior.

In addition to Down Syndrome, Hope was born with Complex Congenital Heart Disease including and AVSD and a coarctation of the aorta. Complications from her heart defect caused her lungs and airway not to develop correctly leaving her trach and vent dependent. She also has Cerebral Palsy, dysphagia, mild vision and hearing issues, and a gtube.

Our sweet girl has spent half her life in the hospital, many days critically ill. Now, she spends half her days in therapy. But she is weaning off the vent, on track to be trach-free by summer, starting to talk and eat, and taking her first steps with the help of a gait trainer.

Hope has taught us so much about faith, patience, and resilience. And she continues to prove every day that we can’t ever count her out.