Laurel’s Story: Caring around the clock
When Laurel was born, her parents knew she had a congenital heart defect.
What they didn’t know was how much their lives would change.
Over time, Laurel’s condition became more complex. Along with multiple congenital heart defects, she suffered a spinal infarct, leaving her with significant medical needs that require constant care.
Today, at just 2 years old, Laurel depends on her parents every hour of every day.
There are no days off.
No predictable schedule.
No clocking out.
Instead, Jessie and her husband have become Laurel’s full-time caregivers.
They take turns caring for her around the clock, alternating shifts so someone is always awake and available. One parent takes the night shift while the other takes the day, and in between, they’re also raising Laurel’s twin sibling and their three-year-old son.
As Jessie shared,
“We alternate being night and day nurse for Laurel and typical parents the rest of the time.”
Like many families caring for medically complex children, reliable nursing coverage has been difficult to secure. Without enough support at home, returning to work simply isn’t possible.
“Her father and I are unable to return back to work because we cannot get the hours covered, and we also have her twin and 3-year-old brother to take care of.”
The financial impact of that reality has been significant.
With both parents focused on providing the care Laurel needs, keeping up with everyday expenses became increasingly difficult. The mortgage weighed heavily on the family as they worked to balance caregiving, parenting, and the uncertainty that often comes with raising a medically complex child.
To help relieve some of that burden, The Little Trachs Foundation provided mortgage assistance, giving the family a little breathing room during an incredibly demanding season.
When Jessie learned her family had been selected, she wrote:
“Thank you so, so much. It is truly so helpful.”
She also shared that she was excited to tell Laurel’s story so that others could better understand the realities families like hers face every day.
For Jessie’s family, home is more than a place to live.
It’s where Laurel receives the care she depends on.
It’s where her brothers get to be kids.
And it’s where two parents continue to do whatever it takes to care for the daughter they love.
Every day, they choose each other.
Every day, they choose Laurel.
