Support Baby Adalynn's Upcoming Surgeries

Please consider donating to Kayla and Tyler as they navigate their baby girl’s upcoming surgeries!

Meet Adalynn! The most precious baby girl who joined the Knight and Kirby family on April 11th, 2025. Before birth, Adalynn was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, Truncus Arteriosus, where open heart surgery would need to be performed soon after birth. After birth, she was diagnosed with EA-TEF- Esophageal atresia (EA) and trachea esophageal fistula (TEF) - a congenital birth defect where the esophagus and trachea did not fully develop and separate; Microtia and Aural Atresia - defects affecting the ear development and ear canal, which could lead to hearing loss; and a cleft hand and two clubbed feet with an extra big toe on each foot.

We appreciate the love and support from Kayla and Tyler’s friends and family, and hope to continue assisting the new parents with medical bills and time off work. Allowing their main priority to be their sweet Adalynn.

To hear more about their story from Kayla’s mom and Adalynn’s Yaya, Brandi, read below!

On a day that marked one year through our family’s grief journey, missing our mom and G-ma, Debbie, the Lord gave the gift of life to us. April 11, 2025, God entrusted us with a precious gift named Adalynn Blake Knight (AB for short). Kayla and Tyler’s little girl is the most beautiful baby I’ve ever laid eyes on. Even though I am Yaya and my opinion might be biased, everyone thinks she is adorable! She weighs 5lbs 10oz, measuring 17 inches long with dark brown hair, almond-shaped eyes, and heart-shaped lips. She is fearfully and wonderfully made!

I remember the day they shared their secret with us like it was yesterday. I also remember the day the excitement of a pregnancy journey turned from a familiar paved road to one that would not be so smooth and easily traveled. A journey where there are many unknowns and fears causing us to draw strength and trust in the One who has planned this journey for them. Kayla and I each have a “life verse”. One He consistently brings to our hearts and minds throughout our journey in life. Kayla’s life verse is: “for we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises” 2 Corn 5:7 AMP. This couldn’t speak any louder to her and us over the past few months and into the future.

In December, at her 20-week anatomy scan, Kayla and Tyler were looking forward to seeing their precious little girl. This is where I would like to say we started hitting some potholes in the paved road. Adalynn was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, Truncus Arteriosus. This is a rare defect where a single, large blood vessel develops from the heart instead of the typical two (aorta & pulmonary artery). This condition mixes oxygenated and deoxygenated blood flow, which requires open heart surgery soon after birth. In January, Kayla’s pregnancy was considered high risk. They hit another pothole; AB was diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). She wasn’t growing as expected, therefore she wasn’t the size she should be. Possibly due to her heart defect. With the risk of complications, Kayla began weekly appointments. Grateful for her new job Kayla started in August at UVA, they began to worry about her missing a lot of time. Since she has not been there very long, she does not have a surplus of leave. In addition, she does not receive paid maternity leave or short-term disability until a year of employment. Tyler has been right by her side in all of this. He too does not have paternal leave and has been using his PTO. They began to make a working plan for AB’s arrival. Determining who and how long they would work or take off. They were diligent in setting aside extra money in savings, so bills won’t go unpaid. But… as I sit here today. I’m reminded that scripture says, “We make our plans, but God has the last word.”

The day Adalynn was born, we learned what Kayla and Tyler planned for wouldn’t be enough. When the doctors were assessing and preparing for AB’s heart repair they diagnosed her with EA-TEF- Esophageal atresia (EA) and trachea esophageal fistula (TEF). This is a congenital birth defect where the esophagus and trachea did not fully develop and separate. Also, we found that she has Microtia and Aural Atresia. They are defects affecting the ear development and ear canal which could lead to hearing loss. In addition, she has a cleft hand and clubbed feet with an extra big toe on each foot.

On Adalynn’s fifth day of gracing us with her beautiful face and fierce spirit, she went through her first of many surgeries. This was to repair the EA-TEF. At that time, this road full of potholes turned into an off-road journey. She was also diagnosed with Tethered cord syndrome (TSCS). TSCS occurs when the spinal cord attaches to the spinal canal wall instead of moving freely within. We were told there is no known cause for these birth defects and the medical term given is VACTREL association because people usually have at least three of these characteristics. This term recognizes a group of birth defects that affect multiple body systems and tend to occur together. The acronym stands for vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, trecheo-esophagel fistula, renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities. We know our AB is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps 139:14), but our hearts break for Kayla and Tyler. AB is expected to have multiple surgeries, outpatient appointments and other unknown hurdles to overcome. Now, Kayla & Tyler will be out of work longer than expected. The bills are already more than anticipated and their time off will mostly be unpaid.

I may feel helpless watching them on this dirt road journey; I was recently reminded of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen has been brought to me by dirt roads. While Kayla and I will continue to lean into our life verses, mine being, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding” (Prov 3:5), I trust He has placed on my heart to help my daughter’s family this way. First, pray for them and share their story. Then please consider giving a love donation to help them financially along the way. The next 6 months can be hard, but I believe anything will help and God will move in a mighty way.

Please know you are greatly appreciated and loved.