In the past few months, microcephaly has been in the news a lot.
But the Zika virus isnt the only (for now, hypothesized) cause of microcephaly.
In the US, theCDCsays for every 10,000 live births, about two to 12 babies could have microcephaly.
Hartley and her husband, Scott, were told by doctors their daughters' condition was genetic.
She already had one healthy sonCal, who is now 17in 1998, and that pregnancy went perfectly.
“You forget how tiny their little heads are!”
But doctors were concerned.
After testing, Claire was diagnosed with microcephaly, spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, epilepsy and cortical visual impairment.
Hartley wouldn’t have it.
She disregarded the doctors advice and started Claire on a path of natural medicine.
At 26 weeks along, however, microcephaly was confirmed for Lola, too.
She was born in 2006 with the same conditions as Claire.
The condition reduces life expectancy.
Claire feeds through a tube while Lola drinks pureed fruits and vegetables from a bottle.
Neither can walk, talk or stand, and they require round-the-clock care.
But Hartley says they’ve given her and her family so much.
“They show me whats important.
Ive had to rise to the occasion to be the best mom I can be.”
She started her blog about five years ago as a way to journal about the experience.
Now, she runs a familyInstagramaccount, too.
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Happily, Hartley has seen some strides in the girls.
We ask them questions, and they can respond in their own ways appropriately."
Lola can touch things with her nose to make choices, and Claire’s even begun attempting to crawl.
Hartley adds they do have seizures often, and require diaper changes and feedings.
Through the highs and lows, Hartley says she finds her life so rewarding.
“Im happy with the life that I have,” she says.
“I would never have chosen it in a million yearsbut I could never have chosen it better.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Gwen Hartley
