Grace Gaskill was born on October 15, 2009. A couple days prior, during an ultrasound, her parents were struck with the news that the baby has a heart defect that is paired with Down Syndrome. Once she was born, her parents didn't have time to prepare themselves with the news that she had numerous heart defects and an under developed esophagus. Then blood tests confirmed she had Down Syndrome. Immediately, surgery was performed so the esophagus could be connected to her stomach. After, doctors were concerned she would burn too many calories and overwork her heart if she was bottle fed, she had to be fed through a tube in her nose and at 7 weeks old she had to have another surgery for a permanent feeding tube. During the surgery there were several complications, putting Grace back on a ventilator. On the road to recovery and about to go home is when the third unplanned surgery occurred consisting of having to place a shunt by her heart to help increase proper blood flow. After spending the first 10 weeks of her life in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, she was finally able to come home. The road to recovery is not over yet because she has at least 2 heart surgeries in her future and extensive speech and physical therapy. In addition to caring for Grace, Jim, her father, is trying to balance his jobs as a firefighter at Tinley Park and New Lenox departments. Her mother, Chrissy has taken a disability leave from her job at a suburban police department due to her own health issues and to care for Grace and their other 3 children, Jessica, Louie & Grant.
We are holding a fundraiser to help the Gaskill family with the many medical bills not covered by insurance. Please join us on this day to help an angel get the care she deserves!!
