I was shocked to see my daughter, Avery Elizabeth Bell, on the front page of The Vicksburg Post as we sat in a hospital room in New York City. Avery is a miracle baby due to her diagnosis of Turner’s Syndrome. Most babies with that diagnosis do not live past 22 weeks in the womb.

Avery was born June 9, 2009. She had two congenital heart defects. One was repaired successfully at 2 weeks old and the other at 8 months old in New York. While there are also other concerns, she is expected to live a normal, healthy life.

There has been such an outpouring of support and love from my hometown community of Vicksburg. The words “thank you” seem so minuscule when trying to show my extreme gratitude to all of those who have shown love, given support and aided us financially. I know in my heart that Avery is with us today due to God’s grace and the multitude of prayers sent up from people not only in Mississippi, but all around the United States.

So many have helped, but I would like to say a special thank you to Bowmar Baptist Church for helping with our flights and handling donations, not to mention getting the message out of our prayer needs. They have not only called themselves a church, they are living as the church.

My Pearl Upper Elementary coworkers not only donated funds, but their own personal sick days allowing me to be with Avery through surgery, recovery and appointments.

In Vicksburg, City Hall, former Mayor Laurence Leyens, The Vicksburg Post, Kim Hopkins, Mrs. Barbara of Willingham’s, Ms. Norma of Frederick’s, Mrs. Doris at This’n’That Gifts and More and Redwood Elementary staff, just to name a few, have all been so supportive and loving to us. All of our dear friends and family — we couldn’t have made it through everything without them.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

Megan Beauman Bell

Vicksburg