The world’s smallest ever mother has sadly passed away at the age of 44 after leading a remarkable life.
Stacey Herald, who was just 2ft 4ins, had a rare genetic condition called Osteogenisis Imperfecta, which stunted her growth and caused underdeveloped lungs and brittle bones.
The beloved mother leaves behind husband Wil, 35, daughters Kateri, 11, and Makya, 10, and son Malachi, eight, who all live together in the family home in Kentucky.
Tragedy: The world’s smallest mother Stacey Herald, pictured while pregnant with her third 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, has died at the age of 44
‘Miracle’: The 2ft 4ins mother-of-three defied doctors who told her that pregnancy would 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 her, going on to give 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 to three 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren with husband Wil, 35
Happy family: Stacey, pictured with Wil and their two daughters, Kateri, now 11, and Makya, now 10, was determined to have a family, despite the risks involved in giving 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡
Support: The proud mom was able to help care for her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, despite her condition, thanks to the help of her husband, who would take over at night when she became too tired
Stacey became a mother against the advice of doctors, who warned that if she got pregnant, the 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 could grow too big and crush her lungs and heart.
However, the mother-of-three defied medics to have a family, giving 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 to three 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren in just three years, however two of her kids – Kateri and Malachi – inherited her condition, something the family had hoped to avoid.
Her youngest 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, Malachi, was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 eight weeks prematurely by caesarian section on November 28, 2010, weighing just 2lb 10oz.
Stacey, who had 34 stitches across her stomach from the procedure, said at the time: ‘He’s the most beautiful perfect boy I’ve ever seen.
‘All I want to do is stay by his side.’
She added: ‘Malachi was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 without any broken bones.
‘People with our condition are often 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 with broken arms and legs because our bones are fragile and can be damaged by the 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡.
‘I’ve explained that they’re all special babies, but that the girls will have to be careful with Malachi, until he’s a bit older.
‘When we found out Malachi had my condition it was hard. But we knew we would be the best support possible for him, because Kateri and I have both been there already.’
Special relationship: Stacey and Wil married in 2004, after meeting in 2000 when Stacey was working in a supermarket
Proud: Stacey gave 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 to her third 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, son Malachi, in November 2010 via C-section. The 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 boy was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 eight weeks early and weighed just 2lb 10oz
Meaningful: The couple, pictured on their wedding day in 2004, worked together to raise their 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, with Stacey describing Wil as a ‘blessing’ in her life
Success: Stacey was confined to a wheelchair, but she refused to let that stop her raising her 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, and being a part of their lives
Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Stacey played an active part in looking after the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, along with her husband Wil, who she married in 2004 after meeting him in 2000 while she was working in a supermarket.
She breastfed Malachi and had a specially built platform that allowed her to bathe them and change nappies from her wheelchair.
But trainee vicar Wil, who is 5ft 9ins, took charge of them at night as it then became too difficult for her.
‘Anything I can’t do, Wil can,’ Stacey said at the time of her third 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥’s 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡.
‘He’s great at getting up in the night and changing diapers and feeding the girls, he really is a blessing.’
Stacey particularly needed his help in looking after Makya, who was already a foot taller than her mother at just two years old.
‘I can’t physically stop her if she’s upset. She’s too big for me now, so Wil has to take care of that,’ she said.
However, despite the difficulties she faced – and the incredible danger she risked giving 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 – Stacey loved being a mother, explaining that she considered herself to be a ‘miracle’ and knew that her babies ‘would be miracles, too’.
Source: dailymail
