Last week, Lucy and her partner Adam experienced a whirlwind of emotions as they welcomed their daughter, Mia, into their lives—if only for a brief moment. “We said hello and goodbye” beautifully encapsulates their bittersweet journey. Though Mia’s time with them was fleeting, her legacy will undoubtedly endure.
During a routine anatomy scan at 19 weeks last December, Lucy and Adam received the heartbreaking news that their baby had anencephaly, a condition where the infant is born missing a significant portion of their brain. In an act of immense courage and selflessness, Lucy chose to carry Mia to term with the hope of donating her organs to those in desperate need. Adam’s heartfelt letter of admiration for Lucy quickly gained traction online, drawing in well-wishes from around the globe. “I felt like a bystander in my own life, watching my partner discover her incredible strength,” he penned. “In the face of unimaginable sorrow upon receiving the news of our baby’s fate, Lucy’s first thought was of others and how her selflessness could serve them. It’s something I will never forget.”
The couple shared a touching family photo that included their two-year-old son, Oliver. “Yesterday, we said hello and goodbye to our beautiful Mia,” Lucy wrote. “She was perfect in her own unique way.” Adam also posted a tender snapshot capturing the precious bond between father and daughter.
While the couple has yet to reveal the specifics around Mia’s birth, they have been transparent about their decision-making process leading up to this moment. The idea of organ donation came to Lucy during the ultrasound, but she admitted that making the decision was far from easy. After deep discussions with their pastor and each other, they resolved to continue with the pregnancy. “Decision made,” Lucy shared. “Mia will live, even if her time is brief. She’ll give the gift of life to others in ways I could only dream of.”
Throughout Lucy’s pregnancy, they remained in close contact with the LifeShare team. Though it’s still unclear whether they were able to successfully donate Mia’s organs, their commitment to helping other families is truly inspiring. The Youngs are determined to remember Mia’s journey positively. “This is NOT a sad post,” Lucy emphasized at the end of each pregnancy update and the photo taken at Mia’s birth. “Please don’t hit that button.”
If you’re intrigued by the topics of pregnancy and home insemination, be sure to check out this excellent resource on artificial insemination as well as this informative piece from Make a Mom on home insemination kits. You can also explore more about the journey of carrying a child for organ donation in our other post on home insemination kit.
In summary, Lucy and Adam’s story is one of love, strength, and sacrifice. They faced unimaginable challenges with grace and have left a lasting impact through their decision to carry Mia to term, offering hope to others in need.