July 10th, 2023, one of the scariest days of my life. I was at work and had LeeLee in my office while Amber went to the OB for contractions and a regularly scheduled appointment. She was told to go home and everything was ok, if it got worse to come back. She left, came and grabbed Lee on her way home and within an hour I felt her calling me. I remember I answered and next thing I know I’m pulling into our yard. Walking inside to a horror scene. Sammy’s placenta abrupted. Ems arrived, we were taken to the nearest hospital where after what felt like forever they took her into emergency c section. 
Though we will never know how long he was without oxygen, we do know from the time they took him and Silas out they worked him for 14 minutes before restoring blood and oxygen flow. The damage had been done. 
Sammy was rushed to Richland NICU on a ventilator by EMS because of weather conditions. Silas was to stay with Amber at Tuomey in Sumter. 
Torn between the twins I rushed to Richland where I was greeted with very little information except he was not expected to make it through the night. 

Well Sammy in his true fighter fashion showed every doctor. He came off the ventilator that very same night.

Within the next 3 days he was diagnosed with HIE and epilepsy. 

He spent a total of 42 days in the NICU. 

Following his release he was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Cortical Vision Impairment. The following months were filled with doctors appointments, therapy and specialist visits almost everyday. 

16 months of love we got with Sammy. 
He was the sweetest boy in the world and had a smile that would light up any room he went in.

He would fight every day for his place on earth and Amber was his guide at all times, making sure he had everything he could need. Advocating 24/7 for the best of everything that our sweet boy could get.

On Sunday, December 1st 2024 Amber and Sammy made their way to Charleston for Sammy’s first week round of intensive therapy the following morning. He had an amazing first day and was progressing so much. Before therapy he had a neurology appointment where they decided we would be able to start weaning Sammy off of 1 of his seizure meds the next morning. 

That evening Amber FaceTimed me and Sammy was in such good spirits. 


Tuesday, December 3rd at 0635 I got THE worst call of my life. 

Amber woke up to Sammy not breathing. 

While stuck in traffic almost to Charleston the dr came on the line and told me the news I didn’t want to hear… that our sweet Sammy had passed and there was nothing they could’ve done.. 

I had spent the 2 hour drive pleading and begging for God to save my son. 
To take me instead. 
To please just take me. 
But Jesus reassured me HE had saved him…..Taken him to be made whole and be healed from his mortal injuries. 

We were broken.

 And still are…but slowly we are weaving the threads together again, Using Sammy’s journey and Story to help bring awareness to HIE, CP and CVI.