As a hospice nurse, Michelle Linn had met countless patients throughout her career. However, when she met Braden West, an infant born with type 2 Pfeiffer syndrome, she knew he was different.
Braden’s condition caused cranial facial abnormalities that made it difficult for him to breathe, and the prognosis was grim early on. His mother recounted “The doctor said that he first of all [he] would not live and if he does live, he’ll be severely handicapped, blind and deaf.”
As an infant, Braden’s airways were so badly blocked that his doctors sent him to hospice care. That’s where hospice nurse Michelle Linn met the West family and began caring for Braden. Michelle spent hours by Braden’s bedside praying for a miracle, and one night, a few months into his hospice care, Braden’s breathing got so bad that Michelle feared the end was near.
She wrote on Facebook, “I honestly wasn’t sure if he would make it to morning. As I watched him struggle all throughout the night, I remember pleading with God to please just take him or make him better, it was just too hard for him, his family, and all those involved in his care.”
A Miracle That Keeps Paying Off
In a fortuitous twist of fate, Michelle’s prayers were answered. Over the next few months, Braden’s condition steadily improved, and he was eventually discharged from hospice care. Since then, Braden has continued to thrive, defying every prognosis and beating the odds.
Doctors said Braden wouldn’t live to be 18 months old, but in 2020, he celebrated his 18th birthday. To celebrate his senior year of high school, his parents asked Michelle, the nurse who prayed for their son as if he was her own, to take his senior portraits.
Michelle is far from a professional photographer, but the stunning photos she took of Braden are a testament to the bond between this caring nurse and the special young man whose life she helped save. Take a look at some of the shots below.
In her post sharing the photographs, Michele writes: “Braden is now 18 and will graduate from Apollo High School this year!!! To know him is to love him. He is kind, smart, loves his family, friends, fishing, planes, Luke Bryan, his truck, and most of all…..he loves Jesus.”
Love in Its Purest Form
“He is a walking testament of faith, and he is love in it’s purest form. What an honor it has been to have a front row seat to his life so far.”
It is clear the two share a special bond, and that Michele is certainly in the right profession. Her empathy and unwavering support is heartwarming and truly special.
Braden’s story is one of hope, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit. It shows us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of light and that miracles can and do happen.
Michelle’s unwavering faith and dedication to her patient is also a testament to the kind of person she is and the love she has for the people in her care. We can all learn from her example and strive to be as supportive as she.
