I Would Do Anything For My Child
Woman's Day|December 2018 / January 2019

With amazing acts of strength, resilience, and ingenuity, four women prove that nothing is stronger than a mother’s love.

Shelley Levitt
I Would Do Anything For My Child

IN A LOT OF WAYS, Terry Jo Bichell’s son, Louie, behaves like a typical teenager, often staring at his tablet’s screen for hours. But at 19, Louie doesn’t talk or often maintain eye contact. His gestures are jerky, his gait halting. He requires assistance with everyday activities like bathing and shaving, and he must sleep in an enclosed bed.

Louie suffers from Angelman syndrome, a rare neuro-genetic disorder that affects about one in 12,000 babies worldwide. The condition is caused by a DNA glitch in chromosome 15.

In one way, though, Louie has been extremely lucky: For his entire life, his mother has gone to extraordinary lengths to try to cure him.

In 1998, when Terry Jo became pregnant with her son at age 38, she and her husband, David, a pediatric heart surgeon, had no reason to think anything was wrong. Terry Jo, who worked as a midwife, had suffered two miscarriages after the birth of her daughters, but the results of her amniocentesis and chromosome testing had come back normal.

On February 26, 1999, Louie came into the world, “crying, healthy, pink, and fabulous,” says Terry Jo. As he grew, her little boy seemed especially happy, smiling and laughing easily. But breastfeeding eluded him, and he was a poor sleeper. Within a few months, he began to miss milestones like sitting up, crawling, and babbling.

This story is from the December 2018 / January 2019 edition of Woman's Day.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2018 / January 2019 edition of Woman's Day.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMAN'S DAYView All
new beginnings
Woman's Day US

new beginnings

Life's biggest twists can lead us where we're meant to be. We've teamed up with Life's About Change (see page 30) to share its most inspiring change-makers.

time-read
5 mins  |
August - September 2023
"My senior dance squad brings it on!"
Woman's Day US

"My senior dance squad brings it on!"

Susan Avery founded the Pacemakers Dance Team, and it put the pep back in her own step.

time-read
1 min  |
August - September 2023
Life lessons
Woman's Day US

Life lessons

As WD's Rabbi in Residence, I'll share some ancient and universal Jewish wisdom that I hope will help everyone lead a more beautiful life.

time-read
2 mins  |
August - September 2023
from the HEART with Candace Cameron Bure
Woman's Day US

from the HEART with Candace Cameron Bure

In my column as your Chief Spiritual Officer, I share a meaningful verse that lifts my spirits and guides me in the right direction. I hope it does the same for you!

time-read
1 min  |
August - September 2023
INSPIRING BFFs
Woman's Day US

INSPIRING BFFs

In honor of National Best Friends Day (June 8), we're celebrating these dynamic duos.

time-read
6 mins  |
June - July 2023
from the ᎻᎬᎪᎡᎢ with Candace Cameron Bure
Woman's Day US

from the ᎻᎬᎪᎡᎢ with Candace Cameron Bure

In my column as your Chief Spiritual Officer, I share a meaningful verse that lifts my spirits and guides me in the right direction. I hope it does the same for you!

time-read
1 min  |
June - July 2023
I'M TURNING 57!
Woman's Day US

I'M TURNING 57!

Travel writer Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon is loving the journey and the destinations.

time-read
1 min  |
June - July 2023
the healing power of nurses
Woman's Day US

the healing power of nurses

In honor of National Nurses Month, we're singing the praises of these health care heroes.

time-read
6 mins  |
May 2023
Life lessons
Woman's Day US

Life lessons

As WD's Rabbi in Residence, I'll share some ancient and universal Jewish wisdom that I hope will help everyone lead a more beautiful life.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2023
from the HEART with Candace Cameron Bure
Woman's Day US

from the HEART with Candace Cameron Bure

In my column as your Chief Spiritual Officer, I share a meaningful verse that lifts my spirits and guides me in the right direction. I hope it does the same for you!

time-read
1 min  |
May 2023