Dierks has a large family who adores him as well: grandmas, aunts, and even his very special great-grandma, who prayed for him every day during his journey. We are incredibly thankful for the Children’s Hospital of Milwaukee team, Prevea OT, and all the love from his friends and family! 

Santiago is almost 6 months old. He is tachypneic at times, which was expected, with one lung being smaller than the other. I’m sure we have a long road ahead of us, especially with the cold season coming up, but we are so grateful to have our baby here with us. We are also grateful to everyone at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County NICU!

Going into my 20-week scan, I was completely unaware of what to expect. I even had additional follow-up scans because they couldn’t locate the liver. All the doctors cleared me and said everything looked good, but now I realize I was naïve and should have asked more questions. In hindsight, I would advise others to be curious—no question should feel too out of the ordinary.

Hazel was discharged without any medications, respiratory support, or other kinds of wires, just fortified breastmilk. She gained weight quickly and came off the fortified breastmilk at four months old. Hazel turned one this month and she is a very happy, healthy, and active baby.

Since we had no idea about her diagnosis ahead of time, nothing was prearranged or planned. We were blessed with friends and a church family that helped us financially. We are thankful for our baby girl, Emma, and would do this crazy all over again for her. She is so full of life and truly one of the strongest girls I know!

Joining Facebook groups and hearing all the positive stories gave me so much comfort and hope in the scariest time of my life, and hopefully, I can do that for others by sharing his story. He’s now two months old and doing great!

Birdie has been thriving, smiling, working hard with physical therapy and occupational therapy. Nothing can stop this sweet girl! We are beyond blessed and thankful for Tiny Hero and everyone we've met through her experience and look forward to educating and spreading awareness for the CDH community.

Oliver is the happiest and bravest little boy I know, and he's never let any of this stop him! He's in school and has lots of friends. He is so funny, loves life, and is obsessed with trains. He is truly my Tiny Hero! And an absolute inspiration to everyone who knows him.

He kept on surprising us all, ever since the day he was born. He is such a happy baby. He smiles all the time, and he always has this charming look in his eyes.

Nolan went home with no equipment and thrived. He continued to have digestion issues, reflux, but no one would know he has gone through so much. He is truly a Tiny Hero.

They began to explain to us that Haydn had a congenital diagrammatic hernia and would need a repair. They further explained that given his age, the chances of his survival were 50%. As I attempted to understand everything that was shared with me, I had no words.

Now she is 17 months. She gets her checkups every month with her surgeon, runs around, likes to eat. I am so grateful to have her here with us. She is a blessing. She has gone thru so much but she is strong. We Love our Tiny Hero.

Briella was an undiagnosed right sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) baby. I had her at 37 weeks and I had her in a small hospital and she was airlifted to Levine’s Children’s Hospital.

Cora was an undiagnosed case of CDH. My pregnancy was planned and normal, nothing uneventful. My anatomy scan was completely clear, along with my quad screen.

She tried to look at me with a reassuring look, but I knew something was very wrong. I said through tears in my eyes “just tell me.” She said she could not hear any breathing sounds on the left side of his body.