The Heartbreaking Journey of Millie Smith and Lewis Cann: A Tale of Love and Loss
Millie Smith and Lewis Cann were filled with immense joy upon hearing the announcement that they were expecting children. The couple, whose family history was rich in twins, had high hopes and dreams for their growing family.
Millie’s maternal intuition hinted that she was carrying two babies, a feeling that was confirmed during an early ultrasound. The excitement was palpable, filled with visions of nursery preparations and future family outings.
However, the initial thrill soon gave way to anxiety and heartbreak when medical professionals delivered devastating news: one of the babies was unlikely to survive. This unfortunate revelation set a poignant backdrop for a story marked both by anticipation and profound grief.
The Diagnosis: Anencephaly
At just 30 weeks pregnant, Millie went into labor—a moment that should have been filled with joy and anticipation but was instead overshadowed by tragedy. Doctors informed the couple that one of their daughters, who they had chosen to name Skye, was diagnosed with anencephaly.
This severe congenital condition means that the brain and spinal cord do not develop fully, leading to complications that essentially guarantee that the baby may survive only for a very short time after birth.
The couple experienced a whirlwind of emotions as they processed the gravity of the situation, grappling with the reality that the dream of a complete family was slipping away.
A Name and a Legacy
In the face of such heartbreaking news, Millie and Lewis felt an urgent need to name their daughter before they had to say goodbye. The act of naming their child became a critical emotional milestone for the couple.
Millie reflected on this moment, stating, “We knew that Skye needed to have a name before she was born.
Knowing she would only survive for seconds or minutes, I wanted her to be named during that time.” The name Skye was chosen for its beauty and significance; it represented a connection to the heavens, a way for Millie and Lewis to always remember their child.
This poignant act of naming Skye was filled with love amid the impending sorrow, acknowledging the existence and value of a life that, though brief, was deeply meaningful.
The Short Time Together
Skye lived for a mere three hours—fleeting moments that Millie and Lewis cherished deeply. Those brief hours were punctuated by a mix of admiration for her beauty and a profound appreciation for her existence; they held their daughter, familiarizing themselves with her tiny features.
Millie recounted, “We were cuddling Skye when she passed away. This was the worst moment in our lives. I have never felt heartbreak like that before.
But I am proud that she fought for so long to spend time with us.” This experience, while unbearably painful, became a defining moment in their lives, one that they reflected upon with mixed emotions of love and loss.
The couple was left with bittersweet memories that would forever haunt but also comfort them as they navigated their grief.
Support in Grief
Following Skye’s passing, Millie and Lewis were assigned a “bereavement midwife,” who provided compassionate support during their time of grief. They were also given access to a “Daisy Room,” a special space designed for parents to spend time with their infant before and after passing.
This thoughtful initiative offered a small measure of comfort amid their sorrow, allowing them to create fragile memories that would last a lifetime. However, as the weeks progressed, Millie began to notice a painful shift in her environment.
Although the medical staff were aware of the family’s loss, the outside world seemed to forget. “Most of the nurses were aware of what had happened, but as time passed, people stopped talking about Skye,” she recalled, highlighting the emotional isolation that compounded her grief.
The world continued to move forward, yet Millie felt trapped in a moment of profound loss, struggling to navigate a reality that seemed indifferent to her heartbreak.
Creating Awareness: The Purple Butterfly Initiative
In a moment of inspiration born from her personal experience, Millie proposed a simple yet effective idea: placing a sticker on incubators that would indicate the loss of one or more babies in a multiple birth.
The image of a butterfly was chosen to symbolize the fragile nature of life and the hope that resides in memory. The color purple was selected for its gender neutrality, making it suitable for any baby.
This initiative blossomed into what is now known as The Skye High Foundation—an organization dedicated to supporting families grappling with similar tragedies. Millie’s vision was not just about creating awareness; it was about ensuring that families facing such devastating loss would not feel alone in their grief.
Impact and Healing
Millie’s efforts have gained significant traction, leading to the dissemination of her initiative across hospitals in multiple countries.
Merchandise featuring the purple butterfly has been developed, serving both as a source of comfort for grieving families and as a means to raise awareness about the challenges faced by those who experience perinatal loss.
“Ultimately, I will never be able to stop this from happening, but the more support groups we can set up and implement initiatives like the stickers, the better it will be.
It’s the hardest thing anyone has to deal with,” Millie stated, showcasing her commitment to making a tangible difference for families in similar situations.
The creation of The Skye High Foundation not only honors the memory of Skye but also serves as a beacon of hope for others navigating the choppy waters of grief.
Looking Forward: A New Chapter
Today, Millie and Lewis are blessed with a vibrant seven-year-old daughter named Callie, who brings joy and laughter into their lives.
While the shadow of Skye’s memory remains ever-present, the family continues to honor her legacy through the ongoing work of The Skye High Foundation, ensuring that others do not have to face their grief in solitude.
The heart-wrenching journey of Millie and Lewis serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of community support in times of profound loss.
Callie, who embodies the spirit of their family’s hopes and dreams, enriches their lives in ways they had once only imagined. Their experience has taught them invaluable lessons about love, loss, and the power of awareness.
Sharing the Story
This touching story of love, loss, and resilience deserves to be shared widely. By spreading awareness about the experiences of families dealing with perinatal loss, we can foster a more compassionate society.
Millie and Lewis’s journey highlights the need for understanding, support, and the acknowledgment of the unique challenges faced by those who have experienced the loss of a child. Please consider sharing this article with friends and family to amplify their message and support this crucial cause.
Together, we can create a world where every child is remembered and every parent feels supported in their journey through grief.
