When Millie Smith and Lewis Cann received the news that they were going to have twins, they were overjoyed. With a history of twins in their family, Millie had a feeling that she was carrying two precious babies. And she was absolutely right.
However, the ultrasound also revealed heartbreaking news. One of the babies had anencephaly, a terminal disorder that affects the development of the nervous system. Millie and Lewis were devastated, but they were determined to make every moment count with their little ones.
They named their angel Skye, symbolizing a place in their hearts where she would forever reside. Skye’s time on earth may have been brief – only three hours – but during that time, her parents showered her with an immense amount of love. They marveled at her beauty and cherished her presence in their lives.
After Skye’s passing, Millie felt an overwhelming sense of isolation. It was as if her precious baby had been erased from the world. Slowly, the memories of Skye faded from conversations, leaving Millie feeling invisible in her grief. The lack of acknowledgement added to her heartbreak. Millie yearned for a way to honor Skye publicly and ensure that no one else would experience the same crushing silence.
Driven by this desire, Millie came up with a simple, yet powerful solution – a sticker for incubators. This sticker displayed a purple butterfly, symbolizing the loss of one or more babies in a set of multiples. The butterfly represents the babies that flew away, and the color purple represents both boys and girls. This initiative soon grew into The Skye High Foundation, a platform that raises awareness and provides support for families who have experienced similar losses.
Thanks to Millie’s foundation, hospitals around the world have embraced the purple butterfly initiative. The foundation also offers a range of purple butterfly merchandise, meaningful gifts, and accessories. Through these efforts, Millie hopes 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, is a vibrant seven-year-old. Millie’s journey from heartbreak to empowerment is a testament to a mother’s love and strength. Although Skye may be gone, her memory lives on through the purple butterfly initiative, ensuring that other families find solace and understanding during their darkest hours.