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Benjamin : 311 Days
April is Donate Life MonthBy Jackie HayMommy to BenjaminBorn April 2022Congenital Heart Defect - Hypoplastic Left Heart SyndromeTransplant SurvivorIn September 2021, we were surprised to learn that our family of three would soon be turning into a family of give! At...
Henry : Always Adapting
April is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness MonthBy Christine HunterMommy to HenryBorn August 2018Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia5q14.3-5q15 Deletion, Bosch Boonstra Schaaf Optic Atrophy Syndrome, MEF2C Haploinsufficiency Syndrome, Cortical Visual Impairment,...
Samuel : Such a Joy
April is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness MonthBy Elle QuinnMommy to SamuelBorn December 2022Congenital Diaphragmatic HerniaI found out about Samuel's pregnancy after I had experienced three losses before him. I had an older son and we had been trying to have...
Advocating for the Communities We Serve
By Michelle L. CramerFounder and Executive Director of On Angels' WingsIt’s hard to believe, but On Angels’ Wings is nearly 11 years old now. When I founded the organization in 2013, I never fathomed the reach that it would have over a decade later, with more than...
Hazel : Blindsided by a Second Diagnosis
March is Brain Abnormalities Awareness MonthBy Rebecca NorrisMommy to HazelBorn February 2016Pontocerebellar HypoplasiaHazel was born prematurely. My water broke at 24 weeks and they kept her in until 27 weeks and 4 days. This is when our journey with On Angels’ Wings...
Louie : Love Keeps Him Here
March is Brain Abnormalities Awareness MonthBy Maria BottinoMommy to LouieBorn August 2021Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)I’ve been told since I was 16 years old that I would never get pregnant due to a health concern of my own – endometriosis. In January 2021...
Rhylyn : Unbreakable Bond
March is Brain Abnormalities Awareness MonthBy Braedn ArnallDaddy to RhylynBorn February 2019Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)Rhylyn had a traumatic birth. Thankfully, she is a very strong girl and is doing her best to overcome any obstacles. As hard as it may be,...
Tate : It is Well With My Soul
March is Brain Abnomalities Awareness MonthBy Heather CrowleyMommy to TateBorn June 2019Ohtahara SyndromeRecently married with a three-year-old stepson, my husband and I decided to try to get pregnant fairly quickly so that the kids could be close in age. We were...
Izzy : True Vision of a Warrior
March is Brain Abnormalities Awareness MonthBy Carrie DyalMommy to Izadora “Izzy”Born August 2019Intractable epilepsy without status epilepticus and global delaysMy husband and I had had two miscarriages before Izzy was born; a twin pregnancy lost at 8.5 weeks, and a...
Amada : Never Forgotten
February is Rare Disease Awareness MonthBy Scott McDonaldDaddy to AmadaPentalogy of CantrellBorn November 2022We always wanted to have children, just not sure of the timing. We tried for some time before it happened, so when we got pregnant, we were so happy. We...
Joey : Everything in Stride
February is Rare Disease Awareness MonthBy Penny RodenhouseMommy to Joseph “Joey”PTPRT Gene Mutation, Moebius Syndrome, Tracheomalacia, Congenital Myopathy, Epilepsy, Hypotonia, Chronic respiratory failureBorn May 2022My husband and I tried to have a baby for 6 years...
Ledger : What He Was Supposed to Be
February is Rare Disease Awareness MonthBy Abby FaumuinaMommy to LedgerLimb Body Wall ComplexApril 12, 2023After trying to get pregnant for over 3 years, we finally gave up and decided we were probably infertile. To our surprise, on August 27, 2023 we found out I was...
Ezra : Peace That Surpasses Understanding
By Lisa EgglestonMommy to EzraMay 24 – May 25, 2019AcraniaWe decided we wanted to start our family fairly young to be younger parents. After a couple of months, we were soon pregnant with our first child in September 2018. We were excited and started making plans for...
Beckham : Terrified Hope
By Angela FrankMommy to BeckhamOctober 26 – November 12, 2022Brain AVM, Heart FailureBeckham’s pregnancy was a really big surprise! A surprise we didn't know we wanted so bad until it happened. Nick and I had been together for 5 years and were raising Brooks, my child...
Ilah : Fight Together
By Nicole WeberMommy to IlahBorn August 2023Pulmonary Atresia – Congenital Heart DefectWe went in for our 20-week anatomy scan for our second child and found we were having a girl. However, the ultrasound tech started to seem a little worried. Once the scan was done,...
Samuel : Cherish Every Moment
By Darby HarveyMommy to SamuelBorn March 2023Trisomy 13My husband and I struggled with infertility. We were in the process of seeing multiple specialists for infertility treatment when we found out we were pregnant. At our 20-week anatomy scan they found our little...
My Life-Changing Experience at AFP’s Leadership Cohort
Five days before the deadline, I came across an email in the abyss that is my inbox for an opportunity to attend a leadership cohort hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Global Leadership Institute. I didn't know why at the time, but I felt like this...
How the Grief Recovery Method Helped an OAW Momma
I wrote this on my Facebook profile two years ago and it’s still one of the best things my husband and I have ever gone through together. I highly, highly recommend the Grief Recovery Method. Friends, if you have a loss of any kind that you need to walk through and...
OAW’s 6th Year Providing Free Santa Pictures to Springfield Recipients
The tradition started back in 2018, on a tree farm in Rogersville. Since that time, the On Angels’ Wings holiday pictures provided to Springfield, Missouri recipients have morphed, even including multiple session options for a couple of years (think “Grooge” and the...
OAW Recipients in St. Louis Receive Free Santa Pictures
For the past four years, Jessica Mulcahy (owner of JS Photography STL, LLC) and Santa Frank have provided free Santa minis for On Angels’ Wings recipients in St. Louis at the JS Photography studio. It’s become a tradition that they both look forward to. “It is a...
OAW Provides NICU Halloween Mini Sessions
For the first time in the organization’s 10 years, On Angels’ Wings provided free Halloween mini sessions for families in the NICU at both hospitals in its headquarters city of Springfield, Missouri on October 30, 2023. Twenty-two generous individuals handmade and...
Ozarks Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Event Ushers in Awareness Month
October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance MonthOn Sunday, October 1, 2023, On Angels’ Wings helped usher in Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month with a remembrance event for the Springfield community. In collaboration with The Doula Foundation, Life...
Taezia : Praying for a Miracle
September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness MonthTina CaudleMommy to TaeziaNeurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)As a mom you know when something is wrong with your child. Taezia was born with a scary looking brown spot on the skin on her lower back. We asked her pediatrician...
Lana : Shining Smile
September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness MonthBy Tonya MorrisMommy to LanaNeurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)Lana’s journey started when she was born (August 2017). She scream-cried every day and almost all day long. She projectile vomited after every feeding and wasn’t...
Riley : From Fear to Cancer Free
September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness MonthBy Samantha LaBargeMommy to RileyInfant Acute Lymphocytic LeukemiaEverything started when Riley was about 4 or 5 months old – she had a bump on her head and what seemed like a cold with a fever that wouldn’t break with...
Elijah : Just Three Months
September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness MonthTyra JohnsMommy to ElijahMalignant Rhabdoid Tumor Predisposition SyndromeFebruary 23 – May 20, 2022I found out I was pregnant unexpectedly in June 2021, just 4 months after giving birth to Elijah’s older sister. Being only...
Gabriel : Our Little Warrior
September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness MonthBy Janet LopezMommy to GabrielGrade 3 Anaplastic Astrocytoma of ThalamusApril 8, 2016 – February 4, 2023Gabriel was born the spring of 2016. He was a happy, healthy baby, and we were so happy to finally have him in our...
Celebrating 10 Years : What’s Ahead
When I started On Angels’ Wings 10 years ago, I intended to fill a need in the 417 area. That was my vision, and we did 41 sessions in and around Springfield our first full year. By 2015, we were looking for volunteers in St. Louis because so many of the families we...
Willa : Amazingly Resilient
May is Lung Disease Awareness MonthWhitney WoodringMommy to WillaBorn November 2017Congenital Central Hypoventilation SyndromeWilla is our second child. Like most parents, we were excited to have a new baby, to give our other daughter a little sister to grow up with...
Shyla : Remembering Smiles
May is Lung Disease Awareness MonthBy Becky HuffmanMommy to ShylaBorn December 2014Bronchial Pulmonary Dysplasia, Cerebral Palsy Shyla came to us through foster care when she was 9 months old, in September of 2015. We did not know she was medically fragile at the...
Archer : Deep Breath
June is Lung Disease Awareness MonthBy Allyson MattinglyMommy to ArcherBorn May 2021BPD (Bronchopulmonary dysplasia) - chronic lung diseaseOverall, my pregnancy with Archer was normal. At my 20-week anatomy scan they thought something was wrong with his heart. So,...
Cecelia : Here for a Moment
May is Anencephaly Awareness MonthBy Shyanne CeradskyMommy to Cecelia FayeAnencephalyJuly 19, 2022My baby lived 39 precious weeks inside my womb, and just moments outside in the world, and her life still mattered. We went to a third-party ultrasound place to get some...
On Angels’ Wings team members and volunteers attend photography conference
OAW Founder and Executive Director teaches classes at photography eventFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2023 St. Louis, Missouri: On Angels' Wings team members spent the first week of April 2023 in St. Louis attending the 9th annual Shutterfest photography conference,...
Haleigh : Always Smiling
April is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness MonthApril is Donate Life MonthBy Tara HahsMommy to HaleighCongenital Diaphragmatic Hernia and Bilateral Wilms TumorsHaleigh was diagnosed with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia while I was pregnant at my 18-week scan....
Chanse : Stable and Thriving
April is Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Awareness MonthBy Janell SchwarzMommy to Chanse SchwarzCongenital Diaphragmatic HerniaI found out I was pregnant at 13 weeks. I went in for a routine sonogram at 14 weeks with my OBGYN in Topeka, and I knew then I was having a...
On Angels’ Wings accomplished a lot in 2022!
_______________________________ On Angels’ Wings is a Missouri non-profit organization that seeks to improve the mental health and wellness of families with medically fragile children (regardless of race, ethnicity, class status or orientation) through therapeutic...
OAW honors volunteer photographers who surpass expectations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2023 Springfield and St. Louis, Missouri: As part of On Angels' Wings (OAW) SNAP program (Supporting our Network of Area Photographers) -- which is funding by a grant from the Hospice Foundation of the Ozarks -- the organization honors...
Winnie : Sweet One
March is Trisomy Awareness MonthBy Emily VinsonMommy to WinnieTrisomy 18Born September 1, 2021It all started when I had gotten my 10 week NIPT blood test done. It came back 96% positive for the rare genetic disorder, Trisomy18. When my doctor called, she explained...
Executive Director, Michelle Cramer, on podcast discussing grief in the workplace
_______________________________ On Angels’ Wings is a Missouri non-profit organization that seeks to improve the mental health and wellness of families with medically fragile children (regardless of race, ethnicity, class status or orientation) through therapeutic...
OAW launches photographer mentorship program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 1, 2023 Springfield and St. Louis, Missouri: On Angels' Wings is pleased to announce that it has launched a mentorship program for photographers interested in volunteering for the organization, but still new to photography. A large...
Executive Director, Michelle Cramer, featured on Binky Patrol podcast
_______________________________ On Angels’ Wings is a Missouri non-profit organization that seeks to improve the mental health and wellness of families with medically fragile children (regardless of race, ethnicity, class status or orientation) through therapeutic...
Harper Mae : Second Heartbreaking Loss
February is Heart MonthBy Katelyn LeeMommy to Harper MaeCHD - Truncus ArteriosusAugust 21 – October 17, 2022 My husband and I found out we were pregnant with our son in January of 2021. We spent January to May loving every minute and getting ready to welcome our son...
Cole : A Sense of Normalcy
February is Heart MonthBy Maggie ButtramMommy to ColeCongenital Heart DefectI remember every detail of what we thought would be our 19-week anatomy scan for our second child; it became a moment that is burned in my mind forever. My husband had to work, so I went...
Kendrick : Change of Mindset
By Breanna ScottMommy to KendrickSpina BifidaOur journey with Spina Bifida began at my anatomy scan while pregnant with our first child, Kendrick, in 2017. My OB noticed some abnormalities on my ultrasound and sent me to a local maternal fetal medicine doctor. While...
On Angels’ Wings launches its first out-of-state chapter in Oklahoma City
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 1, 2023 Springfield, Missouri and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: On Angels' Wings is pleased to announce that the organization is expanding its reach beyond the confines of Missouri for the first time since its founding in 2013. Officially, On...
Zander : A Father’s Grief Fuels Purpose
By Micah ClarkDaddy to Zander Born still on August 12, 2017My wife, Raelynn and I were super excited to welcome our son in the fall of 2017, and life was good until that summer. August 11th, a typical day, we went in for our baby's check-up. We got checked in and...
OAW Founder Wins Philanthropist of the Year Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2022 Springfield, Missouri: The 2022 National Philanthropy Day luncheon for Southwest Missouri was hosted by the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals on Tuesday, November 15. Several awards were presented...
Jennifer : Life is Precious
Jennifer Snider, owner of Simply Taken by Jen and Finley Collective Photo Studio & Event Center, has been a volunteer photographer with On Angels’ Wings since February of 2014, just four months after the organization was founded. She also served on the board of...
On Angels’ Wings Founder Speaks From Her Newly Published Book (Video)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 24, 2022 Springfield, Missouri: On Angels' Wings (OAW) founder and executive director, Michelle Cramer, published a book in June: Unshattered Grief - Helping someone through loss without breaking them... again. On October 7, 2022, at the...
Wave of Light Events in Springfield and St. Louis Honor Infant Children Lost
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 24, 2022 Springfield and St. Louis, Missouri: In observation of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, On Angels' Wings helped organize two Wave of Light events in Missouri on October 15, 2022. Lost & Found Grief Center and On...
Hope Ebbs and Flows : Stories from Loss
October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness MonthBy Marisa BaeseMommy to AnabelAugust 15 - October 2, 2018Trisomy & Congenital Heart DefectHope: a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. The definition of hope is pretty direct and...
Martha : Time Cut Short
May is Anencephaly Awareness MonthBy Taleah JohnstonMommy to Martha Born still on May 24, 2022AnencephalyMy husband and I take a fishing trip for our anniversary each year. When our anniversary came in 2021, we were ready for a few days at the lake and decided it...
Autumn Reminders : Stories From Loss
By Marisa BaeseMommy to AnabelAugust 15 - October 2, 2018Trisomy & Congenital Heart DefectSeptember, the only full month I had with my daughter. Sounds pretty rough when I say it like that, but it's not incorrect. Sure I had nearly 8 months to carry her and try to...
Lost & Found Grief Center and On Angels’ Wings host infant loss memorial event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 18, 2022 Lost & Found Grief CenterMike Woody, Executive [email protected] On Angels’ WingsMichelle Cramer, Executive [email protected] Springfield, Missouri: Lost &...
Easton | Micro Preemie to Five Years
My fiancé Lane and I were very young when I found out I was pregnant with Easton – I was 19 and he was 20. Our expectations were to have a healthy full-term baby. That’s what any parent hopes for. We dreamed of being able to have Easton room in with us after delivery,...
Rebekkah | Part of My Healing
In 2018 I married my best friend, a first responder, and the one person who was everything I swore up and down I would NEVER settle for. A month later I started a daycare. A year after that we decided it was time to start trying for one of our own. Yes, there were a...
Kayden : At His Own Pace
We received Kayden’s diagnosis of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia at our 20 week anatomy scan when they discovered that his diaphragm had a large hole. This hole (hernia) allowed the majority of his abdominal organs to migrate into his chest and severely compromised...
Hospice Foundation of the Ozarks to present gallery exhibition this fall in honor of its 25th anniversary celebration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 8, 2022 Hospice Foundation of the OzarksAnjanette LaBellarte-Gilbert, Executive [email protected] On Angels’ WingsMichelle Cramer, Executive [email protected] Springfield,...
In It for the Long Haul
Michelle Slavens, newly "promoted" to Vice President of On Angels' Wings in addition to her Support Coordinator role, reflects upon her nearly nine years with the organization, and her hopes for the future. After nine years with On Angels’ Wings, I’m stepping...
On Angels’ Wings 9th Making Memories Day Carnival was a success
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2021On Angels’ WingsMichelle Cramer, Executive [email protected] Open to the public again, the carnival saw pre-pandemic numbers! Springfield, Missouri: On Angels’ Wings (OAW), a Missouri non-profit,...
Bowen Dean : Never Forget
May is Anencephaly Awareness MonthBy Tiffany SmithMommy to Bowen DeanAnencephalyAugust 2021In August 2021, my husband and I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Bowen Dean. Bowen had the most beautiful dark blue eyes, the longest salon curled eyelashes, an adorable...
Happy 9th Birthday, On Angels’ Wings!
By Michelle L. Cramer. Founder & Executive Director Nine years. Geez. I know ‘surreal’ gets overused a lot, but that doesn’t diminish it’s meaning for me. It really is hard to believe that On Angels’ Wing has existed for almost a decade. While you might think that...
OAW Open Board and Committee Positions – deadline to apply July 8
On Angels' Wings has the following openings on our Board of Directors and for Committees - THESE ARE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS. Board members will need to attend monthly board meetings, 4 of which a year are in person. Some Committee positions can be remote, depending on...
On Angels’ Wings hosts its 9th Making Memories Day Carnival
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2021On Angels’ WingsMichelle Cramer, Executive [email protected] After two years of limited access, the annual carnival is open to the public again! Springfield, Missouri: On Angels’ Wings (OAW), a...
Why Grief Recovery
By: Michelle L. Cramer, founder & executive director When I began doing bereavement photography nearly 15 years ago, the organization I volunteered for provided pictures for families in their most dire moments of distress, but nothing beyond that. It was so very...
Brian : Tiny Hero
April is CDH Awareness MonthI found out at 12 weeks that I was pregnant. We were shocked but excited. As an early Mother’s Day present I found out at 16 weeks that our sweet little caboose was another boy (youngest of three). After two healthy pregnancies I had...
Kamry : Super Girl
March is Trisomy Awareness MonthMy husband and I knew we were ready to start a family, unfortunately we got the news he was going to be deployed July 2013. So we prayed about it and decided that we would let God decide if we would get pregnant before he left for...
Ashlyn : My Hero, My Strength, My Heart
March is Trisomy Awareness MonthI found out my sweet baby girl, Ashlyn, had Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome) at my 20-week ultrasound. Doctors in Springfield – where we lived at the time – found I had only one artery on my umbilical cord and that she had a cleft lip. She...
Kaylyn : Angel Watching Over Us
February is Heart MonthWe found out we were pregnant with our second child on October 8, 2017; 11 days before Harper, our oldest daughter, turned one. We had decided to try again, but didn’t expect it to happen that quickly, what we like to call a “planned surprise.”...
Watson : Heart of a Warrior
February is Heart MonthBaby Ace, as we called him before finding out his gender and deciding a name, was a beautiful surprise! The moment I found out I was pregnant I did all the healthy things you can imagine. I was very conscious about what I put into my body and...
Raine : Keeping Pace
I never expected to be a heart mom. I never thought I’d have to pass my baby off to a surgeon; it’s the hardest thing to ever do as a mom. I never knew what the CHD world was before Raine was born. I just thought how any other parent thought: I’m having a baby I’m...
Successful ribbon cutting held at On Angels’ Wings headquarters
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2021On Angels’ WingsMacKenzie Karlson, PR [email protected] Cramer, Executive [email protected] Studio space dedicated to late volunteer, 2021 awards given to dedicated...
On Angels’ Wings hosts open house at first location
The grassroots non-profit organization establishes headquarters to better serve recipients FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 2, 2021 On Angels’ Wings MacKenzie Karlson, PR Coordinator [email protected] Michelle Cramer, Executive Director...
What Makes On Angels’ Wings Different
By Michelle L. Cramer, Founder & Executive Director There are other child bereavement photography services out there, but we stand out in a few ways. On Angels’ Wings is by no means competing with these other organizations. Our intention is to fill the gaps,...
No One Wants to Talk About it….
By Michelle L. Cramer. Founder & Executive Director I’ve been working with bereaved families for nearly 14 years now and that is the underlying thing I’ve learned – everyone wants to pretend that babies don’t die. Parents suffer in silence because no one wants to...
Za’morah | Trauma and Loss
After being diagnosed with PCOS in 2009, my dreams of becoming a mom were crushed when I was told my body would fight off 9/10 pregnancies, making it almost impossible to carry to term. Fortunately, in October 2019, I had my first live birth... a little girl, and...
Owen | God’s Lasting Miracle
Following a previous miscarriage, we were experiencing a ‘typical’ pregnancy — until a sonogram changed everything. At our 20 week ultrasound, Owen’s head could not be viewed and we were told to reschedule for 4 weeks out. At the time, we had no suspicion that...
In Memoriam | Michelle Renfro
By Michelle L. Cramer, Founder & Executive Director Michelle Renfro joined On Angels' Wings as a volunteer photographer in November 2016. She quickly showed herself to be dedicated to the families that OAW serves, and received our annual V.I.P. (Very Important...
My First Session | Sarah Ireland Photography
Sarah IrelandSarah Ireland PhotographyKansas City Volunteer For the last few years I’ve been trying to channel my grief [after my husband’s passing] into helping others. It’s really a foundation for me learning to find joy in that place in my heart that has felt...
Hunter : My Giggly Boy
We decided that we needed one more child and started trying in 2016. We got pregnant at the beginning of 2017. We were so excited and so were our other children. We really wanted a boy and Russell said he wanted to name him Hunter. We knew from the beginning that was...
Kaysen James : My Little Butterfly
In May of 2021 we found out we were expecting our rainbow baby. The pregnancy was rough, but we were ecstatic. On January 6th 2021, our beautiful Kaysen was born via c-section after I had a lot of trouble with my blood pressure and they thought he may of had fluid...
Ella Grace : In God’s Hands
Just 6 months after our second miscarriage, we found out that I was pregnant again. We were so relieved when I made it to the 12 week mark. Our then 5 year old, Owen, announced to the whole church that he was going to be big brother! He was so proud. I had bloodwork...
Enslee : Never Lose Hope
I got pregnant kind of unexpectedly. I was nervous -- it'd been 6 years since I had a baby -- but I was thrilled to share these moments with my best friend. He longed to be a dad so bad and my daughter always wanted a baby sister. I found out on April Fools Day of...
Safe Haven
By Madison Shepard We recently announced that we are moving from Southwest Missouri to Southwest Florida for a church plant! We know that we have been called to move there and join the church, and neither of us are questioning that, but I am finding myself scared to...
Naomi : You are my Sunshine
I found out I was pregnant in August of 2018. We had been trying for almost a year, so we were ecstatic. But, my husband and I both have achondroplasia dwarfism, which created a sense of worry for our baby. Long story short, we had a 75% chance of having a healthy...
My Rainbow
By Madison Shepard The term “rainbow baby” — a baby born after child loss — is something I use frequently and find comforting. To me it means that there is hope even in hardship. Azure has definitely been a very welcome little joy in our lives after losing two of our...
Milo : Nana’s Story
Milo Adler graced this earth on July 3rd at 31 weeks. He was in NICU for 5 weeks and got to come home for 5 days. Milo then experienced some issues that caused his mom some concerns. At the doctor's office, before he could ever be seen, he coded. Milo was stabilized...
Eden : Miracle Girl
March is Trisomy Awareness Month Eden was born at 37 weeks and 6 days in May of 2012 via c-section. We didn't know anything was wrong with her. She sounded strong but was in fact suffering. Eden was screaming because she couldn't breath and was trying to catch her...
Joy & Grief
By Madison Shepard Feeling both joy and grief simultaneously is difficult to live out. I have talked to a couple of my close friends before about experiencing the two individually, but that was in the wake of an early loss and a stillbirth; I had yet to have a living...
Bentlee : From the Heart
To say our sweet, beautiful boy changed our lives is an understatement. When we decided to try for a child, we were so blessed to conceive quickly and without trouble. Though, throughout my pregnancy, I was sick. So sick. Though throughout my pregnancy I was sick. So...
Hope
“If it were not for hope, the heart would break.” - Scottish Proverb By Madison Shepard The month of January is difficult for me in more ways than one. For many people, New Year’s is a time to move on from things and have a fresh start. For me, it means birthdays for...
The Vision
The story behind the founding of On Angels’ Wings By Michelle L. Cramer. Founder & President I’m an empath. There's a lot of hippie-dippy, flighty stuff associated with that word these days. Even googling the definition you'll find references to science fiction...
Dear Me…
Dear Me, You do not know it yet, but you are going to face great loss. It will be loss too great to fully comprehend, and few will understand in any capacity, but I promise you will make it through. You are too naïve to realize it now but this loss, this trauma and...
My First Session | Tara Photography
Tara Mayes Tara Photography St. Louis, MO Volunteer Sweet baby Milo was my very first session [for On Angels’ Wings]. I had no idea what to expect. I was so nervous. So scared I would somehow ruin these photos that this family would never have another chance at...
Alex and Ryker
Ryker was born at 25 weeks gestation and spent several months in the NICU. On Angels' Wings was there to capture his NICU graduation. His mom, Alex, a talented photographer, has since been a dedicated volunteer with the organization, giving precious photos to other...
When None of it Makes Sense….
By Michelle L. Cramer, Founder & President Over the last seven-plus years, On Angels’ Wings has done over 600 photo sessions, working with over 500 families. My heart is with each one of them, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit that some of them gain extra...
Ellie : Connection Through Heartbreaking Realities
In 2014, my husband Patrick and I welcomed our first child into the world. A beautiful little girl with pouty lips named Ellie. About a month before she was born, Patrick and I first heard the words that would shape our lives and the life of our daughter from that...
Capture the Beautiful Moments :: Hunter
Expanding one’s family is an exciting and amazing journey. For Russell and Victoria Parker, this was exactly what they had in mind. The blessing of another child became a reality for the couple when they learned they would welcome a baby boy in early 2018. However,...
A Vivid Reminder
By Michelle L. Cramer, Founder & President Early this morning, I went on a session for On Angels' Wings to take pictures for a family whose baby was born still on Lincoln's birthday. As I drove home the sunrise was stunning and I stopped to get a picture and...
Facing Loss, Providing Hope :: Jocelyn Grace
“I’m sorry, but she is gone. There is no heartbeat.” “Those words are stuck in my soul for the rest of my life. There are no words to describe what I was feeling in that moment. Complete shock and disbelief to start, but I felt like I was living someone else’s life....
Jaxon’s Story
By: Paulette Hughes OAW Volunteer with Flyover Photography Baby Jaxon's story is one that speaks to the remarkable strength that our On Angels' Wings families possess. His story also demonstrates the ongoing connection that OAW volunteers have with the families we...
Anencephaly | Bethanie & Everly’s Stories
By: Kim Patterson The very first baby born into Heaven that On Angels' Wings founder, Michelle Cramer, had the honor of photographing was Bethanie Baker. Bethanie's parents were told at a routine ultrasound that their baby had a condition called anencephaly and would...
Spinal Muscular Atrophy
By: Teneka Huffman Everyone remembers their first: their first job, their first heartache, the first time they realized what they were put on this earth to do. Meeting Logan Ruth encompassed all those firsts for On Angels' Wings. Logan was the child that made such and...
Pint-Sized Wonder Women
By: Janis Bennett When Lexi ran through the crisp autumn leaves in her Wonder Woman costume, complete with a blue tutu featuring sparkly silver stars, there was no doubt that this photo shoot was going to be a lot of fun. She's a beautiful little spit-fire with the...
Araya :: Trisomy 18
By: Kim Patterson Like so many couples, Shelby and her husband struggled with fertility issues and endured the pain of miscarriage along the path to becoming parents. So when Shelby discovered that she was expecting, the news came as somewhat of a surprise. The...
Changing the Negative Trisomy Mindset
Part 1: Ashlyn By: Michelle L. Cramer, OAW Founder & President Incompatible with life. That is the phrase most Trisomy parents hear just moments after receiving their child's diagnosis. Nearly every Trisomy family we have encountered to this point has been told to...
Hope Ann-Maire :: Trisomy 18
Hope Anne-Marie was diagnosed in utero with Trisomy 18. Born on January 3, 2014, she graced this earth with her presence for just under two months. One of our St. Louis photographers, Dorinda Peyton, had the privilege of meeting the Hayes family at Cardinal...
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