Prayers for Piper
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This campaign is designed to support Gia & Tim Paddock as they care for their baby, Piper. Gia & Tim are both Police Officers, they risk their lives every day to protect & serve their communities. They first met when Gia was a trainee in Canandaigua, they began dating in March 2014, got married in September 2015, and shortly after announced they were expecting a little baby girl. Piper Jae "PJ" was a name Gia and Tim agreed upon, with a due date of August 10, 2016.
Around 28 weeks from a routine ultrasound it was discovered that Piper has a heart defect, a severe case of Ebstein’s Anomaly with Pulmonary Regurgitation. This is a very rare congenial heart disorder occurring in less than 1 per 200,000 live births and less than 1% of all cases of congenial heart disease. After continuous follow up with different Obgyns, Doctors & Surgeons in Rochester, NY with a poor prognosis, they were directed to Boston’s Childrens’ Hospital. I’m sure by now you’re googling Ebstein’s Anomaly, I know I did. What it really means is that Piper’s heart didn't grow properly and doesn’t work the way it should. This makes Piper's body and brain lack oxygen upon birth because her right ventricle did not form correctly and cannot pump her blood into her pulmonary which supplies the lungs. Right now Piper gets her oxygen from Gia and all vital nutrients to be stable. This means Piper will need to be in the NICU for an extended period of time and also means that she will undergo open heart surgery to have a somewhat normal life. Even then, potentially 2 more open heart surgeries within her first year in this big world. It means Gia has to take an absence from her job for an unknown period amount of time to ensure Piper has full time care with all the appointments & surgeries in order for her to survive and thrive.
Gia & Tim need to be in Boston so a team of specialists can monitor both Gia & Piper’s condition until it is safe for Piper to make her debut. This will require Gia & Tim to be in Boston starting on July 19th for an unknown amount of time, even up to a year. As you know Boston is an expensive city. Tim and Gia have talked with numerous community homes and other houses and have been put on a waiting list along with multiple other families. The average night stay is $179-199 per night. For that reason, we’re asking for any support to help ease the financial burden of traveling to Boston, not working, & being away from the comfort of their own home without the support system of family & friends being nearby.
One final thought, hanging next to the door at their house is a plaque with the prayer below. My heart broke a little when I read this, imaging the fear and worry every time they personally leave the house to go to work, but also the thought of their spouse being in the line of duty. Gia & Tim are so strong, selfless, and spend their days and nights sacrificing for others. My heart broke again when they shared the news of Piper’s condition, but like her parents, she is strong & determined. Let’s help Piper make it home safe, too.
A State Trooper’s Prayer:
When I start my tour of duty God, wherever crime may be, as I walk the darkened streets alone, let me be close to Thee.
Please give me understanding with both the young & old, let me listen with attention until their story’s told.
Let me never make a judgement in a rash or callous way, But let me hold my patience, let each man have his say.
Lord, if some dark & dreary night, I must give my life. Please protect my loving family that I have left behind.
Around 28 weeks from a routine ultrasound it was discovered that Piper has a heart defect, a severe case of Ebstein’s Anomaly with Pulmonary Regurgitation. This is a very rare congenial heart disorder occurring in less than 1 per 200,000 live births and less than 1% of all cases of congenial heart disease. After continuous follow up with different Obgyns, Doctors & Surgeons in Rochester, NY with a poor prognosis, they were directed to Boston’s Childrens’ Hospital. I’m sure by now you’re googling Ebstein’s Anomaly, I know I did. What it really means is that Piper’s heart didn't grow properly and doesn’t work the way it should. This makes Piper's body and brain lack oxygen upon birth because her right ventricle did not form correctly and cannot pump her blood into her pulmonary which supplies the lungs. Right now Piper gets her oxygen from Gia and all vital nutrients to be stable. This means Piper will need to be in the NICU for an extended period of time and also means that she will undergo open heart surgery to have a somewhat normal life. Even then, potentially 2 more open heart surgeries within her first year in this big world. It means Gia has to take an absence from her job for an unknown period amount of time to ensure Piper has full time care with all the appointments & surgeries in order for her to survive and thrive.
Gia & Tim need to be in Boston so a team of specialists can monitor both Gia & Piper’s condition until it is safe for Piper to make her debut. This will require Gia & Tim to be in Boston starting on July 19th for an unknown amount of time, even up to a year. As you know Boston is an expensive city. Tim and Gia have talked with numerous community homes and other houses and have been put on a waiting list along with multiple other families. The average night stay is $179-199 per night. For that reason, we’re asking for any support to help ease the financial burden of traveling to Boston, not working, & being away from the comfort of their own home without the support system of family & friends being nearby.
One final thought, hanging next to the door at their house is a plaque with the prayer below. My heart broke a little when I read this, imaging the fear and worry every time they personally leave the house to go to work, but also the thought of their spouse being in the line of duty. Gia & Tim are so strong, selfless, and spend their days and nights sacrificing for others. My heart broke again when they shared the news of Piper’s condition, but like her parents, she is strong & determined. Let’s help Piper make it home safe, too.
A State Trooper’s Prayer:
When I start my tour of duty God, wherever crime may be, as I walk the darkened streets alone, let me be close to Thee.
Please give me understanding with both the young & old, let me listen with attention until their story’s told.
Let me never make a judgement in a rash or callous way, But let me hold my patience, let each man have his say.
Lord, if some dark & dreary night, I must give my life. Please protect my loving family that I have left behind.
Organizer
Gia Nicole
Organizer
Middlesex, NY