A heartbreaking story has emerged about a mother facing online harassment after sharing pictures of her baby, born with severe facial deformities. Despite her brave decision to raise awareness about her child’s condition, online trolls responded with insensitive and malicious remarks, even suggesting harm to the baby. This traumatic incident highlights the dark side of social media, where individuals can hide behind anonymity and inflict emotional pain on others without consequences. This distressing event underscores the urgent need for increased empathy and understanding towards individuals living with disabilities and the devastating impact that online hate and negativity can have on vulnerable individuals and their families.
Amy Ward, a 24-year-old from Illinois, gave birth to her son Elijah on January 31, 2020. He was born with a rare condition called amniotic band syndrome, which occurs when there is a rupture in the sac of fluid surrounding the unborn baby during pregnancy, leading to amniotic bands wrapping around the child. This can cause limb differences, clefts, and even death.
In Elijah’s case, the condition resulted in significant damage to his left foot, right hand, and his facial features, including a cleft lip and palate. Additionally, he suffered from severe microphthalmia, a developmental disorder of the eye, which caused his right eye to be considerably smaller and unresponsive to light.
Amy and her boyfriend, Dylan, 26, booked a 3D ultrasound at 16 weeks, where they learned that something was wrong with their baby. The ultrasound technician had trouble identifying the baby’s sex and left the room, returning with concerns about a possible cleft lip and palate. After four long weeks of waiting for a follow-up appointment, Amy and Dylan were informed that Elijah had been diagnosed with amniotic band syndrome, a condition they had never heard of before.
“I was devastated. I held my tears back as much as I could, but as soon as we left to go back home, I cried the entire thirty minutes home and probably all night because Google search made it way worse,” said Amy.
“When Elijah was born, I was only allowed to hold him long enough to take a picture and then they transferred him to the NICU. All I could think about was recovery so I could see my son.”
Deciding to share pictures of Elijah on the social media platform TikTok, Amy has received overwhelming support from well-wishing strangers, but has also had to endure disgusting comments from trolls who have asked her why she didn’t abort him.
“It really hurts me because he is such a happy baby and he loves everyone he meets,” said Amy of the cruel online comments.
“The entire life adults tell you to be different, stand out but once someone is different they feel the need to make fun of them and it is not right.”
“He’s my miracle baby and he’s loved so much. He lights up any room and his laugh is contagious.”
With three surgeries scheduled for the next six months, Elijah, Amy, and Dylan face an uncertain future and they’ve set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for the ongoing treatment.
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