Ashanti’s Page

My Early Life:
Hello, my name is Ashanti Kristina (aka Baby Girl my daddy’s
nickname & Boo Boo my mommy’s nickname). My parents are Barry and LaQuinta. My due date was May 15, 2003 but I decided
to surprise everyone on April 1, 2003 at 4:44 pm weighing in at 5 lbs. 15
oz. I was born at Helen Keller Memorial Hospital. The doctor/pediatrican
didn’t know what I had and because of my enlarged heart the flew me to
University of Alabama at Birmingham – R.N.I.C.U. My daddy drove down there
later that night. Mommy wasn’t able to come until 2 days later when she
was released. They told us they were 99% sure it was Apert Syndrome but
the genetic counselors would let us know for certain after all the test
were completed. I was there 4 days then transferred to Children’s Hospital
of Birmingham – N.I.C.U. because my heart and everything else on the
inside was fine. We were there until April 18, 2003. On my follow-up with
the Neurosurgeon he told my parents I would need a VP Shunt to drain the
excess fluid off my brain. I had it put in May 13, 2003 and I am doing
just fine.

FAMILY:
I have 2 sisters; Aubriana (7), Katlyn (7), and 1 brother Dominique (10).
I have a me-maw, maw-maw, 2 paw-paws, 1 aunt, 2 uncles, great-aunts,
great-uncles, cousins and a hugh church family.

FROM MY PARENTS:
We know Ashanti was put here for a very special reason. We are glad God
let us borrow one of his little angels. They’re planning on doing her
craniofacial surgery when she is 10 1/2 to 11 months old. Please keep us
in your thoughts and prayers and we will keep you updated with news and
photos.

Ashanti at UAB Regional Intensive Care Unit, 3 days old