Q : Why are you called a " Miracle Baby "?
In 1976 my Mum found out the hard way that she couldn ’ t carry to term . She was given drugs to keep me in longer , however I had other plans . I was born at 26 weeks gestation . My birth weight was 1 pound 12 ounces . I was given 24hr to live . The doctors prepared my parents even that I would not survive , if I did survive I would always be small and petite . My weight dropped to 1 pound 6 ounces at one point , and I was also baptized at birth . I developed different lung , stomach , and blood infections , was put into a secluded area several times to not infect the other babies in the NICU at the time . The nurses said I am a true living miracle , and must be here for a very special reason . I think , God said no I have an important job to do here on earth , that is why you will live .
I had the joy an honour in 2015 to go home to Ottawa , Ontario , Canada and visited the Dr . Brock MacMurrary Neonate Intensive Care Unit at the Children ’ s Hospital of Eastern Ontario . It was a powerful experience for myself and my parents to see that the NICU had been named after my Neonateologist , the man who saved my life . It was also emotional seeing the babies and families . My parents knew this journey well of what these new parents were going through . I was there also to donate money back to the hospital that saved my life . With the book , I compiled “ Inch by Inch Growing in Life ” the authors and I fundraised and I was able to donate $ 3,216 to the NICU .
Q : How do you live authentically as God created you to be ?
I live authentically as me through my uniqueness . Bringing my bold character to those I meet . I ’ m not afraid of wearing colour , feathers in my hair , and sharing my truth with others . Sharing my story of resilience with others helps those around me live life to the fullest . Many tell me that I should be dead , once they hear my story but I ’ m not . I ’ m here . I love to serve , and volunteer giving back to my community .
Q : What makes you smile ?
What makes me smile ? The sounds of nature , a bird chirping , the river splashing over the rocks . Seeing others succeed makes me smile . I am a big cheerleader of others , and am sometimes even more excited for friends who have won awards than they are . My family makes me smile . Seeing photos of my nephews , and hearing about their adventures makes me smile . Seeing the girls , I work with in programs with Inch by Inch Empowerment make me smile . Seeing their transformations brings me to tears with happiness knowing I have shifted and transformed their world .
Q : How has your life inspired you to empower other girls ?
Growing up being severely teased and bullied for 6 years in Elementary School is what has driven me to empower girls today . I know what half of the school population of girls are struggling with right now . Not knowing who they are , feeling a lack of self confidence , being afraid to be their best self in fear of being teased and bullied . It ’ s a lonely place being bullied and it ’ s my mission to end bullying , and empower the next generation of girls to believe in themselves , and find their inner confidence .
20 Authentically You Magazine