Keely Quinn

During the early months of Michelle Quinn’s pregnancy with her seventh child, she had several premonitions about her baby. She remembers seeing a banner at a mall that had a photo of a young child with Down syndrome.

“I saw the picture, and the hair on my arms stood on end,” she said.

Still, when Michelle’s premonition was later confirmed, she admits feeling initially devastated and doubtful of her ability to handle what lay ahead. As she adjusted to the news, Michelle learned that not only would her baby have the challenges associated with Down syndrome, but they were both fighting for their lives.

After Michelle and her husband, South Bend physician Dr. Christopher Quinn, found out their daughter had a heart condition, not uncommon among Down syndrome babies, they traveled to Indiana University Hospital for a more advanced ultrasound. There they learned that Michelle and her daughter were extremely ill. The baby was retaining fluid, and Michelle had developed mirror syndrome, which meant she mirrored her daughter’s conditions like retaining fluid and respiratory distress.

In November 2006, Michelle delivered her daughter Keely, whose name means Brave Warrior, at University Hospital. Keely was whisked next door to Riley Hospital where doctors discovered that, in addition to the hole in her heart, she also had a leukemia-like blood disease and a serious bowel disorder. During the next six weeks, Riley became the Quinns’ second home. Chris traveled back and forth from South Bend, Ind., caring for their six sons with help from family and friends. Michelle rarely left Keely’s bedside and developed lasting bonds with the physicians and nurses with whom she still stays in contact.

Keely was released right before Christmas, and the entire Quinn family was reunited. Within a few weeks however, it was clear to the Quinns (Michelle is a nurse) and their South Bend pediatrician Dr. Daniel Barrett that Keely’s health was quickly deteriorating and she needed to return to Riley. As Michelle accompanied Keely on the Lifeline helicopter to Indianapolis, she worried her daughter wouldn’t make it to Riley alive. “I kept wondering if I had hugged her enough, if anything had been enough,” she remembers.

Keely had many rocky months ahead. She survived 10 hours of open heart surgery performed by Dr. John Brown and later endured over eight hours of surgery performed by Dr. Deborah Billmire to correct Hirschsprung’s disease, a bowel disorder. During those months she was also treated for the blood disorder, liver problems, internal bleeding and numerous other issues. But Keelystarted to show the resilience that she has continued to demonstrate during the past 18 months.

After coming home from the second surgery in the spring of 2007, Keely stayed in a South Bend hospital several times for infections and respiratory problems. More recently, her health issues have been far more mundane—the occasional cold or stomach virus. An extremely happy and outgoing 2-year-old, Keely is benefiting from home therapy and has taken her first steps. The Quinns bring her back to Riley for occasional check-ups and consultations. Keely also sees Riley pediatrician Dr. Marilyn Bull at one of Riley’s regional clinics in South Bend.

Today, as Michelle reflects on her family’s Riley experiences, she asserts with absolute conviction, “If not for Riley, we wouldn’t have Keely.” Calling her their “lucky seven,” Chris and Michelle talk about how Keely has completed their family. As Chris says, “Keely’s brothers adore her. She’s only 2, but she has them twisted around her little finger.”

As Keely twists those six brothers around her finger, it’s clear she can add two parents and a host of Riley doctors, nurses and staff members to her entourage.