Millie and Louis received the exciting news that they were expecting twins, filling them with joy and hope. Twins were not uncommon in Millie’s family, so the prospect of welcoming both babies into their lives was met with great excitement.
But their enthusiasm was dampened when doctors delivered the devastating news that their unborn children had cerebral palsy characterized by underdeveloped parts of the brain, which unfortunately is the condition of most babies that do not survive long after birth if they are able to go into labor at all. Sadly, Millie and Louis lost one of the twin girls, Skye, shortly after their emergency C-section.
The loss was devastating, but they found strength in their daughter, Callie, who is still alive and well. Deeply moved by their experience, Millie and Lewis realized the importance of preventing parents from leaving one of their babies well-meaning but annoying comments over multiple births and this realization led to the Purple Butterfly program.
A particular incident highlighted the importance of this subject. The innocent and witty remark from a stranger there brought Millie to tears. He fled the room, the sane person having no idea why. Millie couldn’t bring herself to explain the painful truth behind her reaction, and this experience spurred her and Louise into action. They founded the “Sky High Foundation” and introduced purple butterfly stickers, which were introduced to NICU units around the world.
These stickers act as a quiet but powerful symbol, signifying that a family has lost one baby out of many births. This simple, meaningful gesture helps parents escape the pain of unintentionally painful events during an already difficult time.
While Millie and Louise recognize that Skye’s outcome cannot be changed, they take comfort in knowing they are making a difference for other parents facing similar challenges. Their efforts, through support groups and programs like Purple Beetle, provide comfort and support for those navigating the heartbreaking journey of losing a baby.
The more support groups we can organize and include things like stickers, the better. It’s the hardest thing anyone has to deal with.” Their determination to help others in their time of need is a testament to their resilience and compassion.