Teddy’s Story: The Heart Behind The Teddy Foundation 💛

Every foundation has a beginning. For us, that beginning is Teddy’s story, a story of love, faith, resilience, and the light of a little boy who changed everything. This is Teddy’s story.

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Teddy’s Journey

In the final days of November 2020, after the heartbreaking loss of our first precious baby to miscarriage just months before, my husband and I learned we were expecting again. We were terrified yet hopeful. We believed that God would bless us with a perfect, healthy baby to love after our loss.

At 7 1⁄2 weeks, we saw Theodore’s, our Teddy’s little heartbeat flicker on the screen. At 11 weeks, we watched his tiny fingers wave, like he was telling us he was okay. Then came devastating news: something was not right. No one knew for sure, but things weren’t “perfect.” COVID restrictions kept my mom from joining me in the exam room, so she waited in the car while I rushed to the lab for more testing. I can barely remember telling my husband; the pain felt unbearable after already sharing heartbreaking news just months earlier.

When testing came back “low risk,” we learned Teddy was a boy. A tough little man. Despite repeated counseling from doctors, who offered termination more times than I can count, we made a promise: as long as Teddy was with us, we would be too. At 18 weeks, we were told the chances of continuing past 24 weeks were almost zero. Yet Teddy proved otherwise, week after week.

We sought a second opinion at Hershey, but the list of challenges only grew. Teddy had no kidney function, no amniotic fluid to develop his lungs, and severe growth restrictions. Our hearts shattered, but giving up was not an option. I researched tirelessly, connected with other mothers, and even found a clinical trial at CHOP. After hours of testing and long consultations, they decided intervention was too risky. We were told Teddy wouldn’t survive. But by 26 weeks, he was still with us,  proving his strength again and again.

Each appointment was filled with uncertainty. We prepared for the possibility that his heart might stop at any moment, yet every time, Teddy persisted. On May 20, I finally felt his first sweet kicks, a gift I will never forget. Each movement was a miracle, a reminder that he was still with us.

Despite his challenges, Teddy grew, slowly but surely. His ultrasounds showed glimpses of his little lips, his hands covering his face, and his playful wiggles. We filled his time in my womb with as many experiences as we could: trips to the beach, Phillies games, the zoo, the aquarium, ferry rides, and special moments with family. Every day with him was cherished.

After 37 weeks, the day arrived. Teddy was born via scheduled c-section, weighing 3 pounds, 6 ounces, and measuring 15 inches long. Against all odds, he breathed. For 33 miraculous minutes, we held him, kissed him, and soaked in every detail - his strawberry-blonde hair, plump cheeks, perfect little hands, and the sound of his tiny breaths.

Then, peacefully, Teddy rested in the arms of Jesus.

We were blessed with three unforgettable days with him. We kissed his nose, breathed in his newborn scent, napped together as a family of three, and introduced him to loved ones who wept and celebrated with us. Those days were filled with love, heartbreak, and memories we will hold forever.

Though our hearts will always ache, we know Teddy was too precious for this earth. He reminded us that life is fragile and sacred, meant to be cherished every day. We hold tightly to the hope that one day, we will see him again.

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A Foundation Born of Love

Out of Teddy’s life came a calling: to ensure no family walks through the pain of baby loss alone. That calling became The Teddy Foundation.

Our mission is simple: to honor babies lost too soon and support families navigating miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, or a life-limiting diagnosis during pregnancy. Through thoughtful care packages, personalized deliveries, grief journals, children’s books, in-hospital photography, and community outreach, we provide comfort, emotional support, and meaningful resources to families across Pennsylvania. Proudly based in Berks County, we serve communities statewide with compassion, care, and the spirit of Teddy guiding everything we do.

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Carrying Teddy’s Light Forward

Thank you for reading Teddy’s story, for remembering him with us, and for being part of this community. We invite friends, family, and strangers alike to share stories of their children, both living and in heaven, to honor their memory and support one another.

Together, we can carry Teddy’s light forward, bringing comfort, hope, and healing to families who need it most.

💛 With love, The Teddy Foundation Family