Hi everyone. My name is Abigail. I was born with a diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Doctors said I wasn't going to make it. Mom didn't have a baby shower for me until after I was born, just in case. But we had people praying and I started breathing by myself.

You wouldn't know what he has been through looking at him. This kid is the life of the party. He is our survivor, our CDH warrior, our Tiny Hero.

It has been a roller coaster ride for us but never will i regret going on this journey with my warrior. This whole CDH journey has showed me a different perspective of parenting.

I have a 22 year old son who thrived against all odds. He got his private pilots license when he was 17 he was accepted into Rice University with a double major Cognitive Science, Classical Studies in Greek and Latin and a Neuroscience minor.

My hope is to be hope for families who question if their survivors will ever get to be where I'm at now. I hope to connect with other survivors who still question why this had to happen to us & ways we can navigate through the PTSD we experience.

Cay is now 14. He climbs trees, hikes, plays soccer with friends, and really enjoys art. Cay functions normally. For years, he got really sick with frequent respiratory infections and pneumonia but now he is doing much better.

I remember my OB calling me to discuss the results over the phone and trying to prepare me for getting back poor blood results. He said “you are young and can try again for a perfect baby.” This made everything sink in. When I heard my doctor suggest termination, it made me think they would terminate in my shoes, and it immediately sank in how much of a battle my little boy had ahead.

“Her stomach was up next to her heart. There’s a hole in her diaphragm. Reduced lung growth. Other organs in her chest. He said she won’t be running any marathons. One of us asked... ok so is that it? Just maybe no sports? She’s ok right?”

His dream is to one day be a sports broadcaster— and he is currently working for our local radio station selling ads and hopefully doing some broadcasting for them in the future.

The surgery team explained to us that Zaria was on the better end of the spectrum for CDH (thank God) and that they were able to use stitches and no mesh was used. We were at JHAC for about 22 days.

The doctors told us if they had to remove Rakari from the machine before he was ready to get off, it would be a chance of him passing. But he didn’t. He’s a fighter, and he got off ECMO December 21, 2018.

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.

I was given the option of sending him with a 5% chance of survival and risk him dying alone or I could hold him while he passed. I had to send him, it was never an option for him to die.

She actually SCREAMED. We were told that wouldn’t happen. We were told she might not seem responsive or have any of the normal “just born baby” things. But she cried.

And so, Dayly received the infamous CDH “line” as she now calls it. The scar that includes her in a special club of survivors.

Today, Emmie is a completely perfect and healthy (almost) 7-year-old! She loves homeschooling, her big sister, and playing with her friends and family. She is an incredible little builder and delights in showing off her newest creations — from Lego structures to elaborate forts. Our life truly is one “after CDH” and not “with CDH.”

My life hasn't been easy as a CDH survivor, but I am a professional photographer, vocalist, dancer, and petite model, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be on this earth and to be able to share my gifts with the world!

After twenty-eight days in the hospital, we were able to go home. I know that stay seems so short compared to some, but I am so thankful how amazingly well he did and continues to do! Max will be 2 years old next month and has never had any other health issues.

Lucy Sofia may have had to wait 31 days after birth to be embraced by family and friends, but the truth is, she has captured the hearts of many from day 1. She is a testament to how even the frailest can empower; the tiny can have a huge impact.

“Meet your little guy, Mom! Congratulations.” That was when I knew that Ethan was in good hands because for the first time I had a doctor congratulate me on the blessing that is my baby. It was the best feeling in the world to know someone was fighting alongside us to do whatever possible to save our baby.