Tay's Story

The mere thought of losing a child can devastate a family. When Mike and Paula, a British couple, learned their baby had a fetal brain bleed, their world went dark with fear and worry. Doctors advised terminating the pregnancy because of possible severe disability. Paula was nearly eight months pregnant. “Our whole world collapsed.”

 

They had one week to decide. “My gut told me to scour the earth to find help,” Mike says.

 

Internet research led Paula to Dr. Taeun “Tae” Chang, an experienced neonatal and prenatal neurologist at Children’s National Hospital. The couple watched a YouTube video in which Dr. Chang explained common neonatal brain problems. “Dr. Chang’s video helped us better understand,” Mike says. “She clearly knew what she was talking about.”

 

They sent her an email that gloomy winter afternoon, asking if she could help guide them. From so far away, they wondered if they’d ever hear back.

 

Dr. Chang replied within 30 minutes. “She was very kind and cared massively,” Mike says. She offered to review digital images of the baby’s fetal MRIs and consult long distance.

 

“Ninety minutes with Dr. Chang changed the world for us,” Mike says. “She said our baby would walk and talk.” There was still risk. Dr. Chang, however, believed it to be minimal.

 

Baby Taylor was born the following month at University College Hospital in London, with no signs of a disability. He was named for Dr. Chang. Tay’s a healthy infant who wiggles, giggles and keeps his parents up at night. His future is bright.

 

“I’m grateful every day,” Mike says. “We’re indebted for the rest of our lives to Tae and Children’s National for saving our baby.”