Meet Charli

A Story of Resilience

Charli’s journey began unexpectedly when she was born prematurely at just 29 weeks and 4 days via an emergency c-section. Her very first chapter of life was defined by a grueling 112-day stay in the NICU, where she bravely faced severe medical complexities, including brain bleeds, hydrocephalus, and the need for early oxygen support.

Despite these terrifying early hurdles and the worst-case scenarios presented to her family, Charli showed incredible resilience. When she finally graduated from the hospital, she came home with a feeding tube that she incredibly never even needed to use.

Graduating from the NICU did not mean the end of her medical journey. At just eleven months old, Charli had to be admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to undergo a shunt revision surgery. Later, after exhibiting unusual, repetitive "crunching" movements, she completed an overnight EEG that successfully ruled out seizure activity. Today, Charli is navigating a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. While she has been home for over a year and is a happy, growing girl, she continues to require a dedicated care team to manage her unique developmental timeline and ongoing CP-related needs.

Charli during her NICU stay.
A tender first touch in the NICU, capturing how small and fragile Charli was, and how powerful that first connection between mother and daughter felt.
Charli at home, happy and growing.
A quiet, beautiful moment of Charli building strength at her own pace, resting gently during tummy time with the calm determination that defines so much of her journey.

Her Journey

Charli's Milestones & Medical Journey

  • Born prematurely at 29 weeks and 4 days via emergency c-section.
  • Endured a 112-day stay in the NICU, overcoming early challenges like oxygen support.
  • Battled severe early medical conditions, including brain bleeds and hydrocephalus.
  • Underwent a shunt revision surgery requiring a PICU stay at eleven months old.
  • Completed an overnight EEG to rule out seizures after displaying concerning physical movements.
  • Navigating a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, which requires ongoing, specialized therapeutic support to help her thrive.
  • Has been home for over a year, growing, happy, and tackling milestones in her own unique time.