Upon giving birth to her baby, a mother found herself perplexed as the room inexplicably plunged into an eerie, hushed stillness. Fearing her words might disrupt the eerie tranquility, she navigated her emotions with a sense of trepidation.
Eliza Jamkochian Bahneman, aged 36, along with her husband Erik, aged 41, experienced immense elation upon discovering their impending parenthood in 2018, following nine months of concerted efforts.
Bahneman’s happiness overflowed, leading her to share her pregnancy journey with her sister, sister-in-law, and a group of friends. Coincidentally, they were all expecting children simultaneously and their due dates were closely aligned. The expectant mother looked forward with great anticipation to the arrival of her cherished miracle baby into this enchanting world.
Certainly, the baby girl ultimately made the choice to depart from the comforting confines of her mother’s womb a month earlier than anticipated. Isabella, affectionately referred to as “Bella,” officially came into the world in October 2018.
After a total of 12 hours of difficult labor, this baby was delivered weighing 512 pounds. What was supposed to be a joyful occasion, however, gradually subsided.
Bahneman felt unsettled by the obscure quiet that enveloped the room, juxtaposed with the hushed murmurs that seemed to occupy the space. As she retrospectively contemplated that moment, she wondered:
“Why aren’t there any well-wishes coming my way? Why does my husband appear so apprehensive and anxious? Even my mother avoids meeting my gaze, what’s amiss?”
After Bella’s admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a series of tests and evaluations brought to light a rare genetic condition known as Treacher Collins. This condition leads to improper growth of the facial bones, giving rise to the challenges Bella was facing.
Isabella’s arrival brought forth a myriad of challenges, including hearing loss and a constricted airway, stemming from her condition. This marked the initiation of a challenging journey characterized by surgeries and frequent hospital visits due to emergent situations.
Bella embarked on a series of treatment sessions, encompassing speech therapy, occupational therapy, and music lessons, all aimed at addressing her hearing difficulties. These interventions were undertaken in the pursuit of aiding her development and overcoming her hearing impairments.
As two years passed, Isabella appeared to be making steady progress in her growth. Nevertheless, due to her medical condition, this young two-year-old was beginning to encounter unfavorable social responses, where individuals judged her based solely on her outward appearance. In response, her mother shared a valuable perspective:
“Each one of us possesses distinct qualities, some more apparent than others. If uniformity prevailed throughout the world, its vibrancy would be sorely diminished.”
The mother is dedicated to persistently educating and raising awareness about the Treacher Collins condition. More broadly, Bahneman’s aspiration is to inspire compassion towards individuals grappling with this condition. Ultimately, she emphasizes that extending kindness is the essential response when encountering someone who appears distinctively unique.