Magen Sue Smith

11/10/1982 - 08/14/1987

 

Picture # 1 "Our Joy - April, Kyle and Magen - 1984 Before Magen's lip repair. Soon after Kyle was born.


Picture # 2 - Magen School Picture December 1985


Picture #3 - Magen's 4th Birthday Party. sadly, her last.


Picture #4 - Magen and Kyle 1987 @ Grandma and Grandpa's Smith. Mom took them over to Grandma and Grandpas while we went to Florida to Bobbi's Graduation.


Picture #5 - Magen playing on the floor at Grandma and Grandpa's. Summer 1987 She always loved playing at their house and they loved having her


Picture #6 - Magen @ 8 days old. Our little angel


Picture #7 - Kyle's Birthday 1986 - The three Amigos


Picture #8- First Barrette

From my dad, Kevin Smith: Just a few comments. This is from the start of Magen's life with us.

One thing that was so special is that Kyle and April never saw anything but a normal, beautiful sister. Kyle always thought that he was older than Magen and that she was a "baby.

When she was born, her mother and I were in the room in tears. The nurse came in and asked us if we were crying for her or because of her. It really made me search my soul for about 2 seconds and I realized that I was crying for her. All I could think about was her and making sure she was alright. We didn't want to lose her and wanted them to do everything they could for her. Magen was baptized in the hospital because we were not sure that she was going to make it and we wanted to be sure that she was ready, just in case. They transferred her to Toledo Hospital and placed her in the ICU unit. I visited everyday until I was able to bring her mother to see her. Her hands were so tight and clinched in a fist and the nurses said that she would probably never be able to open them. Lisa and I worked with them every day and she was able to not only open her hands but she used them very well, sometimes too well.

We had a Doctor, who was the head of the department, and on Lisa's first day out of the hospital, he told us to just go home and forget about her. What an ass. Other doctors suggested the same thing and one even said that it was too bad that she didn't die at birth. Needless to say that didn't go over very well. My wife was her number one advocate, and always ensured that she fought for anything that Magen needed. Lisa became a stay at home mom with all 3 kids, which no words can describe how much love and work she put into them- they are and were her life.

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My sister touched everyone that she came in contact, as she had an infectious smile and laugh. I don't know who I would be today without having known her- she was truly my soul mate. We were best friends as children, and even as an adult she is with me everyday. Even though I would wish for more time with her, I still could not have asked for a more special gift than the time I did have with her- because of her, I have had a direction and a calling in life.

A comment I sent to the LWT13 website: I was looking through the website, and remembering my sister, Magen. She was born November 10, 1982 with Trisomy 13. Like many of the other stories, my parents were told to leave her at the hospital, as she would not live for more than a few days and would be a "vegetable". How wrong they were! She was the light of our family, and had so much life and energy. She was learing to walk before passing away in Sept. 1987. So much for only thinking she would live such a short time. I am so thankful that my parents were so strong and brought her home- my life would not have been the same. Because of her, I work daily with individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and truly have a different perspective on life and my job. Thank you to all the other families who have allowed people like me into your homes- it's truly a blessing!
April Smith tweety4bird@yahoo.com

Parents: Kevin and Lisa Smith kevin.smith@pioneer.com
Siblings: April Smith-Petz tweety4bird@yahoo.com and Kyle Smith