Juliana's story has been covered in her home state of Florida, Japan and Mexico. The result has been an outpouring of emotional and monetary support from people everywhere for a little girl who loves to hug and her family.When Juliana's mother Tammy was pregnant, she knew something was wrong. At worst, they thought maybe their baby had a cleft lip.So Tammy, and her husband Tom, went to the hospital happy, until the birth."The nurse is like, 'We got her stable, we need to rush her upstairs,'" explains Tom, as he recalls every minute of that day. "And the nurse asked, 'Do you want your wife to see her now?'"Tom says he thought to himself, "Before she gets the shock I did, let me take a picture so she's prepared."Tammy hadn't seen her new baby yet, because she almost bled to death during delivery. Tammy would be okay, meanwhile, dad went to take pictures of his new daughter.But no matter what, these new parents had a wish. "That if there was something wrong, she wouldn't be alone. We wanted to make sure she felt loved," said Tom, as he began to cry. "She squeezed my hand."Little Juliana is missing 30 - 40 percent of the bones in her face."She has no upper jaw, no cheek bones, no eye sockets, and she's missing the corner of her ear," explains Tom.Her birth defect is called Treacher Collins Syndrome. Doctors say it's the worst case they've ever seen.So, how do you get people to see past all the defects, and find her heart? For mom, it just hurts."I just wish people would ask questions. Don't just stare," says Tammy. "I guess the most hurtful thing came not long ago, a little girl said she was disgusting."Juliana has to eat through her stomach, and she has a trach to breathe. Already, less than two years into her life, she's had 14 surgeries. Doctors say she could need at least 30 more.Every time she goes to the hospital, doctors make a mold of her head, and then reconstruct her skull to figure out the next step.It's a life-long process that's draining for Tammy and Tom. Even still, they're thankful and full of love for their sweet child."God never gives you more than you can handle. I figure she has a lot to show everyone... to show the world," says Tom.If you are interested in helping the Wetmore family donations can be made to Juliana Wetmore:Donations can be accepted by mail or by wire transfer.The mailing address is: The mailing address is:
Vystar Credit Union
PO Box 45085
Jacksonville, FL 32232The wire routing number is:
263079276
