Meet Indiana & The Kerrs

Indiana was born on March 4, 2021 at 36 weeks and 2 days. She was diagnosed with trisomy 18 officially at 17 weeks. She had a list of other complications including a large VSD and Coarctation of the Aorta. As soon as we got Indiana’s diagnosis we started looking for fair care. My history as a NICU nurse made me acutely aware that she would not be treated as a typical infant. Our search initially led us to a hospital about an hour and a half away from home where we were pushed to have an abortion. When we refused, they said her life would be futile and they were very negative. We quickly found a new care team in Philadelphia, PA about three hours from home. They supported us and Indiana from the start. We relocated to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House when I was 29 weeks pregnant to receive the care Indiana deserved. At 36 weeks and 2 days, Indiana showed us signs that she needed to be born immediately. Indiana’s Dad was working at home and my Mom joined me in the operating room. Indiana was born at 5:26 pm and was very stable. She weighed 3 pounds 6 ounces and was 14 inches long. Her Daddy, Jason got to the hospital and was able to hold her right away. With COVID-19 restrictions, we were lucky that Grandma got to meet her. Indiana was very stable and growing, with a goal of 2500 grams. On Friday, April 16, 2021, she hit that goal, and her surgeries were scheduled for Monday. We were so excited this meant we were close to a path home. Indiana was fine one moment that day and then the next moment she stopped breathing with no warning. As hard as the medical team tried, Indiana was ready to meet Jesus. We would go back and do it over and over, even with the pain, to be able to experience the pure joy. Indiana’s 6 weeks and 1 day on the earth were amazing she taught us all so much. We are so proud to be her parents.