Mom says that nobody congratulated or celebrated the arrival of her disabled daughter.

When Eliza’s daughter was born, she realized that the reaction was different from what she had expected.

Eliza Jamkochian Bahneman, aged 36, and her husband Erik, aged 41, attempted to conceive for approximately nine months until they received wonderful news. Eliza was pregnant and was going to become a mom at last.

Eliza was filled with excitement, just like any new mom would be. She promptly shared the incredible news with her family, and everyone was overjoyed and thrilled for the couple.

At the time, Eliza’s sisters and cousins all had their own children, and she was delighted to finally have her own child.

Given her age, getting pregnant was expected to be difficult, but Eliza was fortunate enough to experience a miracle. Both Eliza and her husband are incredibly grateful for this blessing, knowing that they will have a baby girl.

Everything felt incredibly amazing, and everyone was eagerly looking forward to meeting the newest member of the family in just a few months’ time. The anticipation and excitement were palpable among all the family members.

Eliza was fully prepared and ready to deliver her baby on the expected due date. However, as it often happens, her baby had different plans in mind.

Little Isabella, affectionately known as Bella, decided not to arrive on her due date and surprised everyone by coming a month earlier. Even though the plans changed, Eliza and Erik were fully prepared and excited for the earlier arrival of their daughter.

In October 2018, Isabella was born after a 12-hour labor. She was tiny, but her size was not the only unique thing about her.

When Eliza’s daughter was born, she realized that the reaction was different from what she had expected it to be.

In her mind, she had envisioned a different scenario with congratulatory exclamations and smiles, all focused on her and her baby.

The atmosphere was not as she had hoped, with a sense of silence and sadness prevailing after her baby’s arrival. Later on, she came to discover that there was a reason behind everyone’s unexpected reactions.

Eliza’s heart sank as she observed the expressions on the faces of the people in the delivery room.

They appeared confused, sad, and unable to smile at the bundle of joy that had just entered their lives. There was a reason behind all of these reactions.

Little Bella was born with Treacher-Collins syndrome, a genetic condition that affects the development of the facial bones, causing deformities.

Bella’s condition also led to other challenges and issues.

The baby had hearing loss, a small and recessed jaw, microtia (underdeveloped ear), a hard and soft cleft palate, and a small airway, all of which were associated with Treacher-Collins syndrome.

“When she was born, I noticed a really small folded ear, but I was told babies often look a bit different when they are first born, so I didn’t think much of it. However, as I looked around the room, I sensed that something was amiss. Nobody seemed to be congratulating me, and both my mother and husband had confused and scared expressions. The atmosphere was strangely silent, and then the doctor left the room. I had no idea what was happening.”

A mother’s love is not just about how someone looks. It is a love that doesn’t change, no matter who you are or what you have.

Eliza finally held Isabella, and all she could think about was how incredibly happy she was to finally meet her daughter.

“I finally got to hold Isabella, and she looked different. But the moment I held her, I fell in love with her instantly, and I knew that everything was going to be okay.”

Isabella may be different, but her parents love her just the same. They know that people might stare at her unusual features, but it doesn’t stop them from giving her all their love and care.

“I knew my journey as a mother was going to be different. But I firmly believed that my baby deserved to be celebrated. I was prepared to talk about her, answer questions, and raise awareness about her condition,” Eliza shared.

Despite her condition and the reactions of some people to her appearance, Isabella continues to be a lively and friendly child.

“Isabella is so lively, full of life and love. She is incredibly intelligent and resilient. She enjoys attention and is eager to learn. She has boundless energy and enthusiasm,” Eliza proudly says.

Isabella may have a different appearance, but she brings immense joy and happiness to her parents.

“We love Isabella more than anything. She is everything we ever wanted and so much more,” says Eliza and Erik with hearts full of love for their daughter.