Hope for Ulises Olmedo

Hi my name is Erica, and I would like to introduce Ulises Olmedo to you. This little guy is a fighter, and he's still fighting for his life!!

Ulises is 1 of 5 and resides with his siblings and mother Melisa. These are her words.

I have always been a hard working mama, trying to do the best for my babies. In March of 2022, I was surprised to find out I was pregnant with my baby boy, Ulises. He was not in my plan of life, but never the less excited to have one more brother or sister to add to our family. As I started regular prenatal care, I found out my beautiful baby has a genetic disorder called type 2 Osteogenesis Imperfecta. The doctor took me into a tiny room, alone, to tell me the diagnosis and it is considered lethal. I felt as if my world was falling apart. I have been given the choice to terminate the pregnancy, but as his mother, I stood firm that I will give him every opportunity to fight until the end. I believe he was sent here with purpose, considering I was on the depo shot when I conceived him.

In the past few months, I have been on a roller coaster of emotions. With the diagnosis, came lots of doctors appointments, which lead to me loosing my only source of income. Everyday has been a struggle, dealing with financial hardship and trying to stay positive emotionally for the unknown. At that point, the doctors could not tell me what to expect with the birth, but had prepared me for the possibilities. Whether Ulises survives and is in NICU for a time, or he comes home right away, or having to face what no parent should, and say good bye to my child. Along with all of this going on, the baby's father decided he was not strong enough to handle it and left us to fend for ourselves.

But on Monday, November 7th, my beautiful baby boy Ulises was born. I knew he would fight and when I heard him cry, it was the happiest moment of my life! He was not expected to survive, so now the doctors are learning alongside me how to help him thrive in life. There are a numerous of unknowns for us, and I am being split in half, having to be home with my four other children and having to be in the hospital with Uli (nickname the NICCU nurses gave him). I am his only support, so I feel I need to see him at least once a day so that he never feels alone. I want to give him the best chance at survival and have been at the hospital everyday, so he knows I am fighting along side him. I want him to be able to come home and be with the family that loves him. With this, I am still not able to work and bills are only adding up by the minute.

Ulises has received muliple surgeries since his birth, and PAM infusions to strengthen his bones. There are no guarantees that Ulises will ever be able to walk. I chose to move back to MN thinking that I would have support from his father, and family. That is not the case! I am struggling!! Unable to work due to the 24/7 attention he requires. I have exhausted most of the resources that I could find, and still am in huge debt and I could loose our home soon!

Erica here again! Melisa is struggling, and I can't even begin to imagine what she is going through. Anything helps. Her car recently was reposessed, and have a borrowed vehicle. Ulises was just released today from Gilette's Childrens Hopsital after receiving a PAM infusion on Tuesday. Thank you for taking a few at their story, and may God bless you.