In 2013, our family received an unexpected gift—what some might have seen as a tragedy, we found to be a treasure.
Melody came into the world weighing only four pounds, fourteen ounces, and was soon diagnosed with full Trisomy 18. For her first 24 hours, she didn’t move, cry, or even open her eyes. But that changed the next evening when she heard music from the Eden String Quartet, a group she had responded to while still in the womb. Her toes wiggled, her eyes opened, and her heart rate soared—a moment of hope for our little miracle.
Melody’s diagnosis came with serious challenges: significant holes in her heart and severe apnea, two common issues for children with Trisomy 18. Doctors labeled her “incompatible with life” and sent her home under hospice care, expecting her to die. The grim statistics offered no comfort—95% of babies with Trisomy 18 do not survive pregnancy. Of those who do, only 50% make it through the first week, and just 5-10% live to see their first birthday. We were given no hope.
Yet, Melody touched the hearts of everyone around her. Our community cherished every day she lived. When she turned one, 300 people celebrated her birthday with us. At five, 250 people gathered to mark her milestone.
Today, Melody is 11 years old, defying every expectation. Her heart healed without any medical intervention, and thanks to an extraordinary speech therapist, she is now free of apnea. Her only health concern is scoliosis. Melody thrives—she charms everyone she meets, with her sweetness and joy radiating to all. She never causes trouble, hurts anyone, or demands her way. Instead, she smiles, laughs, reads books, enjoys music, swims, and even drives her pink Mercedes. Her life is filled with happiness, despite occasional illness, and she never complains.
Life with Melody hasn’t been easy, but it has been profoundly rewarding. She has reshaped our family dynamic, reminding us daily that life is a precious gift. Her four siblings are united in their love for her, working together to give her the best life possible. Melody is the heart of our home.
People are captivated by Melody’s presence. One friend told me, “Melody inspires me every day of my life.” Her chiropractor shared, “Melody’s presence in our office is a daily miracle that touches each of our hearts deeply.”
A fellow mother, Heather Harrigan, shared a powerful perspective with me. After receiving a positive trisomy 18 diagnosis for her daughter Gianna, Heather chose to cherish every moment, knowing Gianna’s life might be brief. After Gianna survived birth, she lived for two days. While saying goodbye was painful, Heather expressed gratitude for those precious moments, choosing love over fear. She said, “I am so thankful for those two days,” a perspective that deeply humbles me.
Sadly, not everyone sees children with Trisomy 18 as gifts. Between 2005 and 2014, 94% of babies with an extra chromosome (including Down syndrome, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13) were lost to abortion. Every human being deserves protection, regardless of ability. Disabilities do not diminish a person’s value. Children with an extra chromosome are just as human and deserving of love and care. Their vulnerabilities should inspire us to protect them, not harm them.
Even if babies with Trisomy 18 are only with us for a short time, we can choose to honor them with unconditional love and acceptance. Whether they are with us for eleven minutes, eleven months, or eleven years like Melody, we can cherish them as the precious gifts they are.
Disability doesn’t lessen the value of a life—it simply means the gift is wrapped in a different package. Melody is a constant reminder of that truth.