Help Juliana Wetmore

    Juliana Wetmore is a miracle child. In March 2003, Juiliana was born, and was diagnosed with Treacher Collins Syndrome. Treacher Collins Syndrome is a rare (1 in 10,000 births) genetic defect that causes craniofacial deformities. She was a hard baby for her mother to give birth to, but she came through. Juliana has been through so much these past 3 years, over 21 surgeries, and still needing more! She is stronger then I probably am, and highly intelligent. I would like to give you the chance to learn about this wonderful child, Juliana Wetmore!

                          -Sarah Carag, Gautier, MS (current age, 12)

Juliana was born in March of 2003. Her pregnancy was "normal" in the beginning. At our first ultrasound, her stomach could not be found. We were brought back two weeks later for another one, when she was a little larger. Still her stomach was not seen.

We were sent to a larger hospital, where at about 24 weeks, during another ultrasound, the doctor came in to have a look and told us that he was going to do an amniocentesis. But he did not feel that whatever was happening with Juliana would show on it. He then told us that we needed to make a decision as to whether or not we were going to continue the pregnancy. Thom and I looked at each other, then quickly back at the doctor. We both said there was no decision to be made. This is our child no matter what.

The next several months were filled with many prayers, many unknown answers, and many sleepless nights. We were able to see Juliana grow and continue to develop by way of weekly ultrasounds, starting at about 30 weeks. At 38 weeks she was finally ready to meet the world. The hospital staff did a fantastic job preparing for the unknown. During her delivery the operating room where she was born was full of nurses, obstetricians, neonatologists, respiratory therapists, anesthesiologists, and many more.

Juliana's birth was a very traumatic delivery and I was hemorrhaging afterward. While one team worked to save my life, another team worked to save Juliana's. I was briefly able to get a glimpse of her as they rushed her past to the NICU, where she spent the first 16 days of her life.

She had her first surgery when she five days old, to insert a trach tube and a feeding tube. Through much research on Thom's part, while I was recovering in the hospital, we found Dr. Wolfe in Miami. He is a world renowned craniofacial surgeon and came highly recommended from different surgeons around the country. We traveled to Miami in late March and Juliana began her craniofacial surgeries with Dr. Wolfe on April 1.

The first 18 months of her life were very difficult on all of us. She had many respiratory infections (RSV and pneumonia). We also continued to push ahead with her surgeries. With most of the surgeries came complications during recovery. As parents we heard some of the scariest words of our lives: "She may not survive this." We heard these words more than one time. And each time we went to our knees and prayed. Each time God had a bigger plan for Juliana.

Juliana has endured 21 trips to the operating room. She has had everything from simple procedures, like inserting a Port-A-Cath, to major intracranial operations.

Juliana will eventually make her own decisions about continuing on with surgeries. At this point we are not doing cosmetic surgery. We are doing surgeries which will enable her to function without a trach or feeding tube.

Our ultimate goal for Juliana is for her to be happy with who she is. She will be able to achieve any goal which she sets for herself or any obstacles put before her. We have no doubt that she can achieve this because she is so incredibly intelligent.

—Tami Wetmore, Juliana's Mother

Note: this information in "Juliana's Story" is from www.JulianaWetmore.net

At birth, Juliana's picture wasn't very pretty, so I have removed it from the home page, but if you would like to see a newborn picture of her, I have moved it to the picture section.

Would you like to donate to Juliana Wetmore? Well, I have the address they accept donations from.

The Wetmores                                                                                                                               

P.O. Box 65852

Orange Park, FL., 32065

Juliana loves to recieve pictures of you and your family or pets. You can also send checks to help for surgeries. But please do not send toys or large stuffed animals, I was informed that she isn't a toy person....she prefers to climb on furniture! If you would like to contact Juliana's nurse, her e-mail address is: arrowsmithwoman@yahoo.com

Please donate!

                                        -Sarah Carag, Gautier, MS (current age,12)

Hey everybody! Thankyou for visiting my site, it means alot to me, and Juliana Wetmore. I know this isn't a very special site, but it's important. So, thanks everybody!

                      -Sarah Carag, Gautier, MS (current age,12)