When Millie Smith and Lewis Cann discovered they were expecting twins, their hearts overflowed with joy. Twins ran in their family, so Millie had a feeling that she was carrying two precious babies. Her instincts proved to be right.
The ultrasound confirmed her suspicion, but it also brought devastating news – one of the babies had anencephaly, a terminal disorder affecting the development of the nervous system.
Despite the heartbreaking prognosis, Millie and Lewis were determined to make every moment with their little ones count. They named their angelic daughter Skye, signifying a place where she would forever reside in their hearts. Skye graced the world with her presence for a fleeting three hours, during which her parents showered her with love, marveled at her beauty, and cherished her existence.
After Skye’s passing, Millie felt an overwhelming sense of isolation, as if her baby girl had been erased from the world. The memories of Skye gradually faded from conversations, leaving Millie feeling invisible in her grief. This lack of acknowledgement deepened her heartache. Millie yearned for a public way to honor Skye, ensuring that no other parent would face this crushing silence.
Driven by this profound desire, Millie came up with a simple yet powerful solution – a sticker for incubators displaying a purple butterfly, representing the loss of one or more babies in a set of multiples. Butterflies symbolize the babies who flew away, while the color purple is inclusive of both boys and girls.
This beautiful initiative soon blossomed into The Skye High Foundation, a platform that promotes awareness and support for families who have experienced similar losses.
Millie’s foundation has reached hospitals worldwide, spreading the message of the purple butterfly initiative. The foundation offers a range of purple butterfly merchandise, including meaningful gifts and accessories. Through this remarkable endeavor, Millie aims to provide support for grieving parents and establish a network of support groups to ease the pain of losing a child.
“While I cannot prevent this tragedy from happening, creating a support system and implementing initiatives like the butterfly stickers can make a significant difference. Losing a child is one of the most heartbreaking experiences anyone can endure,” Millie shared.
Today, Millie’s other daughter, Callie, brings joy and light into their lives as a vibrant seven-year-old. Millie’s journey from heartbreak to empowerment is a testament to a mother’s immeasurable love and unwavering strength.
Skye may no longer be physically present, but her memory lives on through the purple butterfly initiative, ensuring that other families find solace and understanding during their darkest hours.
