3 years ago today my best friend of 15 years, Dana, gave birth to Kelsi. Dana and her husband found out when she was pregnant that their little girl would be born with a heart defect and Down syndrome. They were devastated… we all were. No one wants a child to suffer. She would require surgery to repair the hole in her heart and we didn’t know what other difficulties she would have with the diagnosis of Down syndrome. Fear was my very first emotion however I immediately knew in my heart that this special little girl being born to this family was no accident.
Dana has always been optimistic. Perhaps a little too much so for my realist tendencies. To see her so affected was completely new and I was able to relate to her more than I ever had before. Watching her transform from devastation to hope and love over these past 3 1/2 years has been amazing. Her optimism is the best gift for Kelsi and she is her advocate at every turn. I truly admire her.
Recently Dana approached me about an idea she had to reach out to pregnant women who just found out they would be having a baby with Down syndrome. Dana and her family have been transformed by Kelsi and I know that Dana wouldn’t change a thing about her. She now wants to give others hope she did not feel after receiving the diagnosis. Thus Kelsi’s Corner was born. Take a moment to read her story and make sure to have tissues handy. Please also take a moment to Like her facebook page and while you’re there check out the video of her cheering for the Chicago Bulls. She is so cute it kills me!
Kelsi is one of the most intuitive children I have ever met. She knows how to make you smile and she studies you. She is genuine. This is the part where I get too emotional and have to let pictures take the place of words. Napoleon Bonaparte said “a picture is worth a thousand words” and that is the truth. Kelsi brings out so much love in everyone and it just shines through…
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[...] friends since college. I first had the pleasure of blogging about Kelsi’s Corner on my own photography blog and am so honored to now be posting directly to Kelsi’s Corner blog. This post will be a [...]
What an amazing little girl!
Thanks for sharing Kelsi’s story and your beautiful images.
Everyone needs someone like you rooting for them! What a neat story and a precious little girl.
Such lovely shots of a precious girl!
aw thanks for sharing.
What a beautiful little girl and what a wonderful friend you are!!! You are amazing Tyler!!!!
Oh what a happy sweetheart just precious!
Such a beautiful little girl. Happy Birthday Kelsi!
Beautiful words for a beautiful little girl. I have enjoyed watching Kelsi grow up through your pictures and can’t wait to see what she has to offer the world in the years to come! Happy birthday Kelsi!!