Making the world a better place one smile at a time. Madison blessed us with her life on earth for almost 20 years, and we want to remember the joy and love she brought into our lives on a daily basis. Her smile could light up a room and has brought so many people together, falling in love with her spirit. Madison was/ is our little angel God blessed us with! Even though she was non-verbal she has
changed lives just by amazing everyone around her with her smile, strength, and how she could inspire others. Born with Spina Bifida and hydrocephalis, Maddie already had challenges. When she was 4 months old, I found her face down and unresponsive on my grandma’s couch. We started CPR and continued until medics arrived. When she arrived at the hospital, doctors didn’t think she would make it. After several weeks in the ICU at Riley Hospital, she proved them wrong. Maddie had a hypoxic brain injury and started having seizures, but she survived… our little miracle baby! She went a whole year without smiling. Then one day, she smiled a half smile which then turned into a whole smile! Later, her beautiful smile became her contagious laugh. Oh boy, when she laughed, she laughed and laughed! This girl would get tickled from her head all the way to her toes! She really knew how to light up a room! Strangers would see Maddie smiling and they would smile right back. She could make a whole room laugh too. You could tell in just that moment, she made a difference in their life. Even though Maddie didn’t have a regular vocabulary, she had no problems expressing herself. She was/is so amazing! Toughest person we have ever met! Throughout the years, Maddie had some major ups and downs health wise, but she never gave up. She could fight through anything! In June 2013, Maddie aspirated and developed pneumonia while we were on vacation. She also developed a horrible infection in her lungs called pseudomonas that was resistant to antibiotics except one. We were in Physicians Regional ICU in SW Florida one day short of a month then thankfully flown back to Riley Hospital to be weaned of the ventilator. She was in Riley for an additional 2 1/2 weeks so we could learn how to take care of her new trach. We made it home from Florida thanks to generous donations from people in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, California and the Charity Air Ambulance, Grace on Wings. We were so blessed with all the wonderful Dr’s, Nurses, and Respiratory Therapists that took such amazing care of our her. Maddie’s story was played on news channels in Indiana and Florida. Within 48 hours, people donated over $10,000 to fly her home in an Air Ambulance!!! She had touched hearts in many states! In honor of our Maddie we are asking people to join us in making the world a happier and loving place by doing acts of kindness! We would love for you to share your stories and/or photos of your act of kindness with us!. Please join Team Maddie and help us spread Maddie smiles!! :)
