Brittany Griffin

Brittany Leigh Griffin 

December 15 1997 - November 30 1998

Age: 11 months old 

Brittany was born on December 15 1997 to Jenn and Greg Griffin. Brittany was born nine weeks early and weighed just three pounds. On January 29 1998, Brittany was taken home for the first time after spending six weeks in hospital. Brittany was a beautiful, happy and healthy baby. She loved getting baths, she loved when her cousins played with her and she began eating solids in May 1998.

On July 6 1998, Brittany and her mother went to the doctor for a usual check up. The doctor was very concerned. After almost a month with frequent doctor appointments and blood tests,  Baby Brittany was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) on August 3 1998. On August 19 1998, Brittany is baptised. On September 20 1998, Brittany had a feeding tube put on her so that she could have some nourishment. In October 1998, Brittany's family began to notice that Brittany's body was slowly beginning to shut down. However, she was still as happy as can be, always giggling and smiling. On November 29 1998, Brittany was taken to hospital. She was not doing well at all. The next day, (told by Brittany's mother) "It was time, we had to make the decision.  It was the hardest choice we ever had to make.  I leaned over to my baby girl and told her that “mommy and daddy love you very much and that it is ok to go”  they removed the mask from her face, and her feeding tube from her little nose, they placed Brittany in her daddy’s arms and took off the nasal canula, and she left us instantly.  It was as if she was holding on, waiting for us to let her go.  Our world was gone, just like that.  We held her for a few more moments, hugged her and kissed her and tucked her into her hospital bed.  It was the most terrible feeling to leave our baby girl there. "

Rest in peace Brittany.