One year ago I did not know Heather and Mike Spohr, or their young daughter Madeline. I had seen Maddie’s picture many times during my daily travels around the Internet. How could you not? It was clear that little girl had made quite an impression on a huge number of people, despite her tender age. I remember pausing to take in her beauty whenever her face appeared on my monitor.
The news of Maddie’s death at just eighteen months old last April was a stunning blow. I didn’t know them personally, but my heart broke for their family. I didn’t know at the time that I would come to know Heather through writing for Aiming Low. I just knew a mother and a father had suffered an unimaginable loss.
The Internet came together in an amazing outpouring of love and support for Heather and Mike and the March of Dimes. Last year my friend asked me to walk in the March of Dimes’ March for Babies, in Maddie’s name, and so many of my friends and family generously donated. I am walking again this year to raise money for the incredibly worthy cause of babies born too soon, and I hope you will once again help.
You can also help by donating to Friends of Maddie, the non-profit the Spohrs started to help the families of critically ill babies by easing the transition into NICU life and providing an ally until the end of their child’s hospital stay.
Thinking of Maddie, sweet girl.
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