When Millie Smith and Lewis Cann found out they were expecting a baby, they were overjoyed. As there was a history of twins in Millie’s family, she had a strong feeling that she was going to give birth to two little ones, and her instincts were right. The ultrasound confirmed that she was indeed expecting twins, but the doctors told them that one of the babies had a very small chance of survival.
ragically, one of their daughters was born at 30 weeks with anencephaly, a serious condition that affects the development of the brain and spinal cord. They learned that their precious baby had only moments or hours to live.
Knowing this, Millie and Lewis wanted to give her a name before they said goodbye. They chose the name Skye. Millie explained: “We felt she needed a name before she arrived. Knowing she wouldn’t be with us for long, I wanted her to have a name in those fleeting moments”.
The name “Skye” symbolized a connection to a place they could always remember when they looked up to the sky. “We held Skye close as she died. It was the most heartbreaking moment of our lives, but I’m proud that she fought to spend that time with us.” Skye only lived for three hours, a brief time filled with love while her parents cherished her beauty and presence.
After her death, Millie and Lewis were supported by a “bereavement midwife” and given access to a “Daisy Room”, a special room where parents could spend time with their baby before and after death. However, after Skye was gone, her memory seemed to fade; no one spoke of her, leaving Millie feeling like her daughter had never existed, which made her angry.
“Most of the nurses knew what had happened, but as the weeks went by, people stopped mentioning Skye. Other families around me had no idea about our loss”, Millie recalls.
While her other daughter, Callie, was still in the NICU, another mother who knew nothing about Millie’s situation remarked how lucky she was not to have twins. “None of the other parents knew about Skye, and that innocent comment almost broke me. I left the room in tears but didn’t have the heart to explain”, Millie said. “A simple sticker could have prevented this.”
This experience inspired Millie to design a sticker for incubators to mark the loss of one or more babies in a multiple birth. She chose butterflies to symbolise the ‘flown away’ babies and used the colour purple, which is suitable for any gender.
From this idea grew the Skye High Foundation, which promotes the Purple Butterflies initiative and helps raise awareness in hospitals around the world. The foundation also offers a range of purple butterfly merchandise.
“Although I can’t prevent these situations from occurring, I believe the more support we can provide through initiatives like the stickers, the better it will be for others who suffer this loss. It’s an incredibly tough journey”, said Millie. Today, her surviving daughter Callie is seven years old.
The Incredible Journey of Paris Jackson: A Versatile Artist and Advocate
Paris Jackson, born April 3, 1998 in Beverly Hills, California, is much more than the daughter of the legendary Michael Jackson. Her memoir illustrates her development into a well-rounded artist and committed advocate for important causes.
From a young age, Paris showed great interest in various artistic fields, including music, acting and modeling. Her distinctive looks quickly brought her into the fashion world, where she made a name for herself as a successful model.
At the same time, she explored her musical talents by co-founding the folk-rock band The Soundflowers, showcasing her skills in both singing and songwriting. Acting also became an important part of her career, with notable roles in television shows such as “Star” and various film projects.
Beyond her artistic achievements, Paris is a passionate advocate for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights. She has spoken openly about her own mental health issues, contributing to the conversation and reducing the stigma surrounding these issues.
Paris uses her platform to support organizations focused on mental health support, addiction recovery and suicide prevention, underscoring her commitment to driving positive social change.
In a recent episode of her Facebook Watch series “Unfiltered,” Paris introduced her “eldest brother” Omer Bhatti, revealing a deep and previously unknown connection. Omer, a Norwegian dancer and rapper, sees himself as a sibling figure to the Jackson children and has a particularly close bond with Paris.
Omer’s insights into the Jackson family provide a unique perspective on their personal development and dynamics. His role as mentor and confidant reflects the supportive influence Paris’ father had on him. Their relationship has evolved over time, providing mutual support and comfort.
These select family dynamics within the Jackson circle highlight the importance of relationships based on shared experiences and unconditional love.
Paris Jackson’s journey is extraordinary, not only as a versatile artist, but also as a staunch advocate for social progress and mental health awareness. Proving that she is more than just her famous lineage, she has become a powerful force for change and a beacon of inspiration for many.
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