The Blessing of FedExFamilyHouse

Like many expectant mothers, Haley Sharp of Harmontown, Miss., was thrilled about her bundle of joy, but also experiencing some fears and concerns. Haley discussed them with her doctor, but despite her unborn daughter measuring small, they weren’t overly worried.

To be on the safe side, however, her doctor sent her to a specialist. During her appointment with the specialist, Haley received
devastating news. Her daughter was measuring severely small, and the chance of a stillbirth was heartbreakingly high. In addition to her size, there was not enough blood and oxygen getting from the placenta to the baby, only increasing the chance of critical issues.

While doctors felt the baby’s chance of survival was very low, Haley was determined to fight for her little girl. After discussing options and potential outcomes, Haley was admitted to the hospital for monitoring, expecting to remain hospitalized until closer to her due date on Feb. 27, 2023.

However, just a week later in November 2022, little Taylor was born at 25 weeks gestation. Taylor had survived her birth and with that, she had already beaten the odds.

Taylor’s birth began quite a journey for her mother, Haley, and father, Brady. In December, she was transferred to Le Bonheur for a procedure to close a hole in her heart. After this procedure, Taylor was transferred back to the hospital where she was born and diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a respiratory condition often seen in newborns whose lungs weren’t fully developed before birth.

In April 2023, Taylor came back to Le Bonheur for a catheterization lab procedure on her heart. After this procedure, she remained in the Le Bonheur Neonatal Intensive Care Unit until Jan. 5, 2024, and she eventually received an additional diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. 

During her months at Le Bonheur, the family experienced a roller coaster of emotions. Progress brought tears of joy, but setbacks brought Haley to her knees in prayer.

When rhinovirus took a toll on Taylor’s body, Haley said, “After everything we’d been through, it was turmoil for me to see my baby so sick from this virus. I had to take breaks, and I would pray, ‘Please God, don’t take my baby’.”

Little Taylor celebrated her first birthday and first Christmas in her hospital room before she was able to go home for the first time in January 2024.

Throughout Taylor’s first year, Haley and Brady were thankful for the blessing of FedExFamilyHouse. A family member had stayed at FedExFamilyHouse in the past, so the parents had heard positive things about the accommodations before visiting for the first time.

“I couldn’t believe it when we first went to FedExFamilyHouse,” said Haley. “It just left me speechless.”

From the comfort of a clean bed and bathroom to the kindness of the staff, Haley felt incredibly grateful for a place to relax and recharge during such a grueling year of her life.

“I could say so many things,” said Haley, “But the main thing is we would not have been able to be there with Taylor every day without the blessing of FedExFamilyHouse.”

Taylor still requires 24/7 oxygen, as well as regular trips to Le Bonheur for cath lab procedures. Down the road she’ll require more surgeries for heart stents, but she has steadily developed and achieved many milestones much to the amazement of her family and care team.

It’s easier to plan for these trips back to Le Bonheur knowing the stress of finding a place to stay is not an issue. Haley and Brady can count on FedExFamilyHouse to offer their family a cozy, safe place to recharge each time they make the trip to Memphis.

“I wish I could heal Taylor’s pain and take this all away,” said Haley, “But I know God gave us this journey for a reason. I am so thankful for the many blessings and miracles along the way.”