A father who experienced the loss of his daughter due to a rare genetic condition utilized skin-to-skin contact to celebrate the birth of his twin sons. Brennan Brackbill, from Hershey, Pennsylvania, held his newborn boys, Isaiah and Caleb, close to his chest in a heartwarming moment captured by Erin Fortney Photography on April 24th.
Following the passing of their daughter, who suffered from Krabbe’s disease, in March 2016, Brennan and his wife Lesa were even more determined to form a close bond with their twin sons.
Brennan recently shared his family’s story on Love What Matters, recalling how his daughter Victoria was born via C-section on July 30, 2014. Due to Lesa’s epidural, she was unable to move her arms, and doctors initially thought she wouldn’t be able to have skin-to-skin contact with their daughter.
Just thinking about the amazing experience can sometimes bring tears to my eyes. Tori remained remarkably calm and still while I sang and talked to her.
However, five months later, according to her loving father, little Tori underwent a drastic change overnight and began to show signs of distress. Both he and Lesa have the rare and typically fatal genetic disorder called Krabbe.
The Mɑyo Clinic notes that KrɑƄƄe disease, a rare genetic disorder that impacts the neurologicɑl systeм, often shows symptoms in infants under six months old and typically leads to ɗeath before age two. Despite this, Brennɑn and Lesɑ did everything they could to provide Victoriɑ with the greatest life possible, including completing a bucket list of 50 items that ranged from small pleasures to extravagant vacations.
Less than two years after their daughter passed away from Krabbe disease, Lesa learned she was pregnant with identical twins. Thankfully, neither boy has Krabbe disease and neither is a carrier.
Brennan expressed his desire to have skin-to-skin contact with their sons immediately after they were born. When Isaiah was delivered, he removed his shirt underneath his hospital gown and held his baby on his chest.
