SOPHIA JACKSON-FORD — USA
Born April 19, 2016
Late-onset
Mother's GBS Status: Tested negative
Gestational Age: 40 Weeks and 2 Days
Age Harmed: 1 month and 6 days
My name is Tywanna and I am the mother of a beautiful 11 month old baby girl by the name of Sophia who tested positive for GBS (Group B Strep) at just 5 weeks old. Before I explain to you the danger of this infection, I just want you to imagine being told by a doctor at 10 AM, that your precious, innocent baby girl or boy would have died in less than 24 hours in your arms at home, had you not rushed him or her to the hospital. Listening to doctors discuss her condition and seeing her hooked up to machines you never encountered as a parent, becomes overwhelming because you can only pray, hold her hand and speak hoping she hears you. That’s just what I did. I sung to her, kissed her swollen hands and feet, looked into her helpless watery eyes and I kept saying, "mommy and daddy are routing for you to WIN & YOU WILL WIN."
Seeing my daughter like this was hardest thing for me in my life, as she is my world. Not only was I scared but I began to question myself. Why haven’t I been aware of such a deadly infection? Did my doctor detect this and not tell me? How many infants are affected by this infection that is out there? By making a donation today, tomorrow or next week, YOU can help me in determining these answers.
Sophia was hospitalized for two and a half months and did rehab for 3 weeks. I lived at the children’s hospital for two and a half months and the rehab facility for 3 weeks. Don’t believe me? Ask the 9 different nurses, the 4 cafeteria staff who delivered food to my room, the x-ray technician who came in at 5:05 AM every morning, and the 4 NICU doctors who said I am learning terms on the hour. I got dressed for my MBA graduation at the hospital, with my daughter. That took a heavy toll on me as I wanted my daughter to walk across the stage with me in her cap and gown. Every day since May 25th 2016 at 3:13 AM, I felt like giving up. The doctors kept coming to me with unbearable news, such as my daughter now had blood clots and bleeding in the brain. Nine times out of ten most infants don’t survive. I screamed why? Why me? What did I do? Then instead of blaming myself I prayed. Asking for my daughter's healing and survival. It got to the point where I felt my prayers weren't enough. I then asked for prayers for my little girl. I asked because I knew I couldn’t do this alone and there will be someone out there to comfort me, mentally and spiritually.
Prayers were working and Sophia was on a great path until June 4th at 11 AM. Sophia had a huge setback. She was a pinch away of having compressions done to her chest. Her blood pressure dropped, oxygen level was invisible and it just looked as if it was over. I sat there while I watched every nurse that morning draw medicine, process blood transfusions, run around as if this little girl was their commander-in- chief. She was almost gone. As I sat in silence for an hour and a half my mind went completely blank. I wanted to run out the room but God said to me to stay because she needs me. And today I am here for my daughter. I don’t work, because God told me to stay, I don’t leave Sophia behind because God told me to stay, I don’t allow her out of my sight because God told me to stay. We were recently T-boned and I am here today because God told me to stay. Thanks to family, friends (Janine) and strangers for motivating me and helping me to understand that this is only a test and he will make a way. I had hope.
Sophia is OUR miracle baby. She has lived and I pray that she continues to live. This campaign is to raise money for hospitals to detect such a deadly infection and to bring awareness to the women who knew nothing about it like myself.
I hope you find it in yourself to donate anything -- A PRAYER, a get well card to a children’s hospital or money to help Sophia’s making a change campaign. I can tell you she will not let you down.
Thank you.
I love you Sophia.
— Tywanna Jackson, USA
Tywanna raises awareness by word of mouth and by conducting informationals and telling all pregnant women to get tested.
To learn more about How to Help Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep (GBS), click HERE.