Orange Socks Stories
Changing Minds and Inspiring Life
Miriellys and Alex: Trisomy 13, or Patau Syndrome
Miriellys and Alex have two children. Their youngest, Aerilyn, was diagnosed with Trisomy 13 or Patau syndrome in utero. They were encouraged to terminate their pregnancy and were given a grim prognosis. They chose not to listen to their doctor and to give Aerilyn a...
Beth and Bryce: Angelman Syndrome
It took almost three years to get an official diagnosis for their son, Smith. Beth and Bryce shared their journey to getting a diagnosis of Angelman syndrome and how it has impacted their family. Making Your Heart Grow Long Journey Towards a Diagnosis Unlike several...
Christine: Autism
Christine knew there was something different about her oldest daughter Skylynn. They first hoped she had a sensory processing disorder. However, at the age of two Skylynn was diagnosed with autism. Christine has spent every day since her diagnosis...
Phyllis and Keven: Polymicrogyria
When Laura wasn’t meeting developmental milestones, Keven and Phyllis brought her their pediatrician. They were shocked to learn that she had polymicrogyria. Over the years they realized what an absolute joy to Laura was to have in their...
Jen and John: Encephalocele
Jen and John were encouraged by medical professionals to abort Jackson after he was diagnosed with encephalocele. They chose to carry him to term and thrilled they did. Jackson is now a thriving two year old who is proving doctors don't always know best. ...
Kimberly and Bobby: VACTERL or VATER Association
Kimberly and Bobby wanted to take no chances when they found out they were pregnant with their daughter Kyla. They previously had a child who was stillborn after being diagnosed with Trisomy 13 in utero. After receiving normal test results they thought Kyla was going...
Camille and Martin: Seizure Disorder
Martin and Camille have four children. Three of which have a seizure disorder. Camille and Martin were pioneers in getting appropriate services for their children. Camille and Martin were candid about first learning about their children’s seizure disorder...
Cindy, Mike and Evan: Spina Bifida
Cindy and Mike were devastated when they learned that their fifth child was going to be born with spina bifida. They were strongly encouraged to terminate the pregnancy. 30 years later they are grateful they didn’t. Evan, their son is happy his parents...
Shirell and Danny: Prader-Willi Syndrome
Shirell and Danny have a 15 year old boy named Sam, who has Prader-Willi syndrome. When Sam was first born, Shirell and Danny noticed that he was floppy and looked lifeless, and the doctors discovered his issues right away. For Shirell and Danny the joys have...
Kecia and Kris: 3 Children with Down Syndrome
Kecia and Kris were excited for the birth of their third daughter Brie. When she was born, they discovered that she had Down syndrome. The news was difficult for Kecia and Kris to process. 10 years later, they have realized how amazing Down syndrome is. They have...
McKenzie: Diaphragmatic Hernia, Cystic Hygroma, and Renal Agenesis
McKenzie anxiously anticipated the birth of her second child. She hoped this child could serve as a buddy for her first child, Trevor, who has Down syndrome. Unfortunately, she found out that Maely had several abnormalities and would die before, during or after...
Mindy and Chris: Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, and Club Foot
Chris and Mindy were expecting their fourth child and went in for a routine ultrasound. Everything seemed great until their doctor called them later that night. He said that their son, Camden, had spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and clubfeet. They were given the option...
Lisa and Steven: Epilepsy and Developmental Delay
Lisa and Steven have a son named Matt who has Epilepsy and and a developmental delay. When Matt was six, he had his first Grand Mal seizure; his parents took him to the doctor where he was then diagnosed with Epilepsy. Lisa and Steven describe Matt as a loving...
Janeen- A Grandma’s Perspective: Lissencephaly
Janeen is the proud grandparent of Hunter, a 10 year old boy who was diagnosed with lissencephaly. Janeen was candid about her experience with Hunter and the joy he has brought into her life and his family’s life. A Grandma's Love Four-month-old...
Sydney and Darren: Alobar Holoprosencephaly
Sydney and Darren courageously chose life despite being told that their daughter had a fatal condition. Grace was diagnosed with alobar holoprosencephaly. She lived for five and a half hours and greatly impacted those around her. Finding Beauty in...
Amber and Justin: Down Syndrome
Justin and Amber were nervous to welcome their son, Finneas. They learned at an ultrasound that their son would be born with some chromosome disorder. They were told that their son would be a burden and encouraged them to have an abortion. They chose life and are...
Emily and Bryson: Lissencephaly
Bryson and Emily were thrilled to welcome their first child Hunter. They started noticing that Hunter was falling behind in some of his development. When Hunter started having seizures, they knew something was wrong. He was diagnosed with...