Throughout the nine months of pregnancy, a mother’s heart is filled with excitement, expectation, and a hint of uncertainty. Expectant parents always wish for a healthy and happy baby to arrive. Unfortunately, life does not always according to plan.
Jennie Wilklow, from Highland, New York, was looking forward to meeting her daughter. Jennie and her husband were overjoyed as they greeted their new baby.
They had several ultrasounds and doctor’s exams, all of which indicated a healthy baby.
This reassurance put their minds at ease, and they had no idea that their beloved Anna would be born with a condition that would forever change their life.
Jennie underwent a C-section at 34 weeks to deliver Anna. When the medics placed the baby in her arms, she felt a strong sense of love.
Everything appeared to be fine with their beloved child. However, when Jennie’s husband came to see her, his silent and worried demeanor sent shivers down her spine.
“My husband’s silence frightened me,” Jennie said. I urged him for further information as the doctor exited the room, and he sat there, stunned.” With a heavy heart, he added, “It’s bad.”
“Jennie,” her husband explained, “I looked into her eyes, and she has the most beautiful soul.” Jennie couldn’t figure out what those phrases meant at the time. Her mind raced, wondering what was wrong.
Anna developed harlequin ichthyosis, a unique condition distinguished by the emergence of thick, diamond-shaped plates with big fissures. “As they desperately tried to help her, her delicate skin hardened within seconds of birth,” Jennie told Café Mom.
The hardening was followed by severe splitting, which left her with open wounds throughout her body.”Despite the doctors’ concerns about Anna’s survival, she beat the odds and thrived. “She embodied pure beauty,” Jennie said proudly.
Harlequin ichthyosis cannot be treated. The treatment requires persistent effort, including frequent baths and thorough skin moisturization. “I’d cover her in Vaseline every few hours and bathe her for hours.
I had imagined all of the wonderful costumes my baby would wear, and while it may appear frivolous, it was one of the most difficult aspects for me,” Jennie revealed.
She created an Instagram page called “harlequin diva” and posted photos of Anna to raise awareness about the sickness. Her blogs provide light on the day-to-day struggles of raising a child with harlequin ichthyosis.
“Anna won many people’s hearts because she embodies perfection in its purest form.” For her, carrying out these routine obligations is second nature. “The world celebrates with us with each new milestone,” Jennie told Cafe Mom.
She continued, “I now realize that Anna was given to me because of my love for my daughter.” We were destined to be together, and we would change the world’s sense of true beauty.”
Anna is stunning just the way she is, and she is blessed to have parents who go above and beyond to ensure she has a happy life.
Please help spread the news about Anna’s story by sharing this article with your friends and family on Facebook. Together, we can promote awareness and celebrate the incredible strength and beauty that each individual possesses, regardless of their differences.