On June 6, 1994, in Seaford, DE, Kaitlin Marie Bell began her journey in life. She was precious and beautiful, and holding her for the first time was the best experience I've ever had. In October, she moved with her mommy and daddy to Ohio. She grew and developed as any normal, intelligent child. Her first birthday was celebrated with style. Her family and all who loved her were there. None of us knew that her life (and ours) was about to be changed forever.

Less than one month later on July 12, 1995, Kaitlin was involved in a serious car accident that took the life of her mother. Kaitlin suffered a severe head injury and was flown to Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. By the time I reached her, she was in a coma.

From that day on I never left her side. She needed her dad and I needed her just as much. As the days went by I could do nothing except think of Kaitlin and what I could do to help her-and I was helpless. All I could do was wait and hope.

Unfortunately, every discussion with the physicians became increasingly more grim. Her brain was swollen for days before it finally began to diminish. As the swelling subsided, she was able to be taken off the ventilator. Finally she opened her eyes, and I knew that she would never be the same again. She was moved to a regular room after soon after that.

Two weeks after her accident I received more bad news. Part of her brain was protruding through one of the many fractures in her skull and she required surgery. The surgery was successful, but there was still a large amount of fluid on her brain. With every CAT scan more damage was discovered. Several weeks later it was decided that she needed another surgery. She had severe reflux of her stomach contents and required a G-Tube for feeding.

Now Kaitlin was ready for Rehab. Her Rehab consisted of 6 1/2 months in 5 different facilities. I refused to give up hope and stayed with her every step of the way. She received 2 more surgeries to drain the fluid surrounding her brain along the way. Each time I could see small improvements. Kaitlin would continue to fight and defy the odds. I was told that she would never be able to eat enough orally to maintain her nutritional needs.

In the Spring of 1996, after moving back to Delaware, I met someone special on-line while chatting. She bonded with Kaitlin right away and accepted the challenges of her extensive care as much as I had. By late Summer, we were married. Again Kaitlin had a stable and loving family environment. She began to show improvements. Over the next six months she began to eat enough pureed food orally to maintain her nutritional requirements. She also began to "coo" and laugh!

After a lot of time, hard work, Speech Therapy, and patience, she was able to now eat ground food and rarely needed nutrition through her G-Tube. Physical and Occupational therapists were also key players in Kaitlin's recovery. At first she was unable to even lie down comfortably because of her high muscle tone. After constant therapy for months, she began to regain some control of her bodily movements. It was a slow recovery for everyone involved with her care.

In May of 1998, Kaitlin did the impossible. With the help from her therapists and a piece of equipment called a Rifton Gait Trainer, she walked! Almost 3 years it took her to achieve this. She could not have accomplished this without her therapists and all of her special equipment. Again she has done what was thought could never happen. Because of dedicated, professional therapists, teachers, special equipment, and a great deal of love, Kaitlin proved that every child can and deserves to lead a full and happy life.

"As Long As Hearts Remember"

As long as hearts remember,
As long as hearts still care,
We never part with those we love --
They're with us everywhere...

So many of our precious memories
Of those we hold so dear
Bring peace and comfort to us now
And keep our loved one near.

Author Unknown

In Loving Memory
of Our Daughter
Kaitlin Marie Bell
June 6, 1994 - August 15, 1998

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