Support the Whitley family and baby Josiah

This fundraiser is to support Maggie Whitley and her unborn son, Josiah. During Maggie's routine OB exam at 11 weeks gestation, doctors noticed a concerning cyst on Josiah's spine. After multiple appointments and ultrasounds, including travels to Traverse City and Ann Arbor, MI, it was confirmed that baby Josiah has Spina Bifida near L2/L3.

Because of Maggie's love for Jesus Christ, she is hopeful amidst this storm. Their entire family is, too.

Baby Josiah will need surgery to tuck in his spinal cord and repair the exposure. This will be done at 25 weeks gestation (April 11, 2023). There are many benefits to Maggie having prenatal surgery, and the success percentages are high. The spinal surgery is estimated to improve Josiah's motor skills, lower the risk of infection, reduce pressure on his brain (including reducing the need for a brain shunt after birth), improve bladder/bowel control, and more.

Since Maggie has been approved for prenatal surgery in early April, she will be on bed rest for the remainder of the pregnancy (9-12 weeks), with 24/7 care given by an adult. She and her husband Zack have been married for 15 years this June and have four older children: Maxwell, 10 years old; Natalie, 8.5 years; Marigold, almost 7 years; and Landon, almost 5 years.

Additionally, they will need to relocate to the Ann Arbor, MI area (3.5 hours from their home in Petoskey) for the surgery and the 9-12 week recovery period.

To keep the family together during this long recovery, Maggie and Zack desire for their entire family to temporarily relocate to Ann Arbor, MI.

This fundraiser is to support Maggie Whitley and baby Josiah in multiple ways:

Maggie has shared their journey with this unexpected diagnosis of Spina Bifida on her blog. Please share their story, pray for them, and give thanks to God for the abilities He's given to those working in the medical field.

God's provision and lovingkindness never fails. This diagnosis truly is wonder-filled.