COPPERAS COVE, TX — A Coryell County woman who lost her baby only hours after he was born is looking to help others.
Brady Valois was born on Sept. 29, 2017 after being diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia at 18 weeks gestation.
"There is a hole in your diaphragm and your diaphragm doesn't completely develop, leaving an opening to allow your lower organs to move up into your chest, not giving your lungs enough room to fully develop and grow," said Brady’s mother, Lorianne.
The condition kills roughly 50% of the 2,500 babies diagnosed with it every year, including Brady who was born with just one developed lung and his stomach in his chest.
"The one good lung ended up busting and that was it, he couldn't come back from that…” said Lorianne.
The newborn died seven hours after birth, turning Lorianne’s maternity leave into a time of grief.
"For those six weeks, most of the time I stayed in bed. I didn't get out. I didn't even know how to be a mother to the kids that I already had just because a huge part of myself was already missing,” said Lorianne.
The heartbroken mother said her feelings could only be understood by those who have labored the same loss, which is why she took comfort in a "Hope Box" she was given at the hospital.
"There were different self-care products inside, there was a Bible, a book about grief and a pamphlet on an organization called Hope Mommies,” explained Lorianne.
Hope Mommies has eight chapters across the Lone Star State, including one in Central Texas, which aims to help mothers who have suffered infant loss.
The “Hope Box” is something Lorianne is hoping to help expand outside of Temple through her reign as Ms. Five Hills.
"I feel that there is more mother's out there that just don't know that Hope Mommies is here,” Lorianne said. "My goal is to raise money to create more Hope Boxes to deliver to hospitals in Killeen."
In order to help raise money for the organization, Lorianne is co-hosting the Multicultural Festival in Copperas Cove on October 5.
All of the proceeds from vendor registration will go toward Hope Mommies to help the organization create Hope Boxes to donate to hospitals in Coryell and Bell Counties.
