Courtney realized she was going to have a second child and couldn't have been more thrilled. The parents immediately began planning for their new life as a family of four. “I’ll have to learn to braid hair now,” Evan joked lightheartedly. Everything seemed to be going as planned as Courtney got closer and closer to her due date. The doctors had performed numerous checkups on the baby, and she appeared to be growing normally, but on delivery day, the situation changed. As Brenna took her first breaths, her parents noticed that she was covered in thick white scales. She could hardly move, her body temperature was extremely high, and there were sores all over her body.
The doctors explained that Brenna suffered from a hereditary disease called Harlequin ichthyosis, in which the body produces skin 10 times too fast for normal growth. The newborn needed intensive care immediately, and even then she might not survive. Although Courtney was not able to hold her baby for the first time until two weeks after she was born, the mom never gave up hope. She and Evan knew that Brenna was in their lives for a reason, and they loved her with all their hearts. Currently, Brenna is growing stronger every day.. ☺☺☺☺
