When Gwen Hartley brought her eldest daughter into the world, she had no way of knowing that becoming a mother for the second time would bring with it challenges she never dreamed of.
Her oldest, a son named Cal born in 1998, was a typical baby and little boy. Gwen and her husband Scott expected that raising their little girl, Claire Elise, would be much the same.
But, like this mom who had a normal pregnancy until doctors noticed her daughter’s birthmark, the Hartleys received a shock in the delivery room when the medical staff noticed little Claire’s head.
It quickly became clear that Claire had microcephaly, a condition where the child’s head circumference is significantly below average.
Microcephaly can be part of a number of medical conditions, but it has been garnering a lot of attention at the moment because of its association with the Zika virus sweeping through the Americas.
In the Hartleys' case, the condition was genetic, but they have proved to be a powerful example of the right way to parent kids affected by the condition.
Today, Gwen, Scott, and their kids are bringing new light and hope to thousands of parents suddenly grappling with this condition, as they inspire countless followers with their uplifting, sassy, and laugh-out-loud funny blog, the Hartley Hooligans.
For Gwen and Scott Hartley, Claire’s early diagnosis was at first devastating, particularly as medical tests determined that Claire’s microcephaly was merely the first sign of a host of medical problems, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and dwarfism.
But, as Gwen notes on the blog, they quickly learned to see their eldest daughter for who she is, not for what she lacks, calling her “SO MUCH MORE than the sum of her diagnoses.”
When Claire was about 5, the Hartleys decided to add another bundle of joy to their family.
The chances of lightning striking twice were slim — they had a 75 percent chance of having a typical pregnancy — but monitored their growing baby closely due to Claire’s condition.
Midway through the pregnancy, doctors determined that their second daughter, Lola, shared a number of Claire’s genetic markers, and would ultimately share her many medical conditions.
Though her diagnosis was initially a shock, Gwen writes, “We knew the immense joy that Claire brought to our family, and we had no doubt that Lola would enrich our lives beyond belief as well.”
Almost 10 years later, there’s no doubt that both of these girls are cherished and loved beyond belief, and are tremendous sources of joy for their parents and big brother Cal.
Though they face challenges every day, Claire, 14, and Lola, 9, have beaten all of the odds, and are now helping to inspire parents facing the challenges of microcephaly for the first time.
The Hartleys carefully follow a holistic, organic lifestyle that focuses on nourishing both the girls as completely a possible, while also limiting the amount of strong medicines and medical interventions they require, since both girls are extremely sensitive to most pharmaceutical treatments.
The Hartleys simply seek to help all three of their kids be the very best they can be, with the highest possible quality of life.
They bring in PT specialists in various therapies to help the girls, but first and foremost, they help their daughters and their son by absolutely showering them in affection!
Now, their incredible story might serve as a road map for parents dealing with microcephaly for the first time as a result of the Zika virus.
Gwen has been interviewed by various news outlets, and writes, “I hope that maybe, in some small way, my testimony can help new mothers whose babies were diagnosed with microcephaly to feel less alone & afraid… but I want to help set their minds at ease however I can."
Please check out the Hartleys' Facebook page, as well as their blog, the Hartley Hooligans.
SHARE if you’re inspired by these amazing parents, and their three incredible children!
