A baby girl who ‘never stops smiling’ is living with a rare skin condition that makes her skin crack

Those nine months a mom carries her baby are filled with joy, anticipation, and a dose of uncertainty. What the new parents hope for is their bundle of joy to be healthy. Sadly, that is not always the case.

Jennie Wilklow, from Highland, New York, couldn’t wait to meet her daughter. She and her husband were over the moon to hold her in their arms. All the ultrasounds and doctor’s appointment suggested the baby was healthy, so they were eased and never thought sweet Anna would be born with a condition that would change all of their lives forever.

Jennie delivered Anna via C-section at 34 weeks. Doctors told her she looked beautiful and that was all Jennie needed to hear at that point.

Shortly after, the proud mom heard her daughter cry, and that was just another sign that everything was right with her little jewel.

When her husband visited Jennie, he was strangely silent and looked worried and puzzled.

“My husband’s silence scared me; he just sat in shock as the doctor left, and I prodded for more info,” Jennie shared with Cafe Mom.

“He just kept saying, ‘It’s bad.’ What does that even mean? I thought in my head. He told me, ‘Jennie, I looked in her eyes, and she has the most beautiful soul.’”

Anna was diagnosed with harlequin ichthyosis, a rare condition that causes thick diamond-shaped plates that are separated by deep cracks. “As they tried frantically to help her, her skin hardened within seconds (of birth). After hardening, it began to split, causing open wounds all over her body,” Jennie told Cafe Mom.

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Although doctors weren’t sure she would survive, Anna beat the odds and is thriving. “She was beauty in the purest form,” her mom said.

There isn’t cure, and the treatment is quite demanding as it requires constant baths and keeping the skin as much moisturized as possible. “Every couple of hours I covered her with Vaseline and bathed her for many hours of the day. I had dreamed for years about the things my baby would wear, and though it seemed so trivial, it was what I struggled with most,” Jennie said.

In an attempt to raise awareness about this condition, Jennie posts photos of Anna on her Instagram page harlequindiva. She opens up about the everyday struggles and what it is like to have a child with harlequin ichthyosis.

“Anna captured everyone’s hearts because she is the purest form of perfection. Doing the work every day is simple when I’m doing it for her, and with every new accomplishment, the world celebrates with me,” Jennie told Cafe Mom.

She adds, “I now understand that I was given her because of the love I already carried in my heart for my daughter. Anna was meant for me, and I for her, and together we will show the world what true beauty is.”

Skiing Sensation Matilde Lorenzi’s Shocking Loses Her Life at 19

Italian skier Matilde Lorenzi tragically lost her life in a skiing accident. She was training on the Grawand G1 slope in Val Senes when she fell.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) expressed their sadness on Instagram over the tragic passing of Italian skier Matilde Lorenzi, who was only 19.

Source: Instagram/mati.lorenzi

They posted a touching black-and-white photo of Lorenzi, sharing that the news was first confirmed by the Italian Ministry of Defense.

Source: Instagram/mati.lorenzi

In their statement, FIS said they stand with FISI President Flavio Roda and the entire Italian winter sports community, including coaches, athletes, teammates, and staff, as they mourn Lorenzi’s loss.

Source: Instagram/mati.lorenzi

At the end, the federation shared their deep sadness, mourning alongside Lorenzi’s family and friends. Joining them, the Ministry of Defense and its Minister Guido Crosetto posted a message in Italian, honoring the young Army athlete and offering support to Lorenzi’s family.

Source: Instagram/mati.lorenzi

The Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) also posted a statement on their website, including details of her funeral. They announced that it would be held on Thursday, October 31, at 10 AM in Giaveno at San Lorenzo parish.

Source: Instagram/mati.lorenzi

Lorenzi’s family asked for donations instead of flowers to support the “Project in Memory of Matildina.

Source: Instagram/mati.lorenzi

The Italian Army’s sports branch, Centro Sportivo Esercito, honored Lorenzi on Instagram. Their heartfelt caption, translated from Italian, read, “Too soon!! This is the only thought in our hearts during this time of sorrow.

Source: Instagram/mati.lorenzi

They continued, “We stand with your family and Lucrezia, comforted that you were doing what you loved. Take a few more turns for us and watch over those who loved you.”

Source: Instagram/mati.lorenzi

Lorenzi’s boyfriend, Federico Tomasoni, has also been sharing memories of her on Instagram. In one post, he wrote, “You are the most beautiful thing that life could ever give me.

Source: Instagram/mati.lorenzi

I love you, little star ,” along with a close-up of their hands as he held hers.

Source: Instagram/mati.lorenzi

Another memory showed Lorenzi by the beach, replying “Ciao” to Tomasoni’s greeting.

Before her passing, Lorenzi’s last Instagram post featured photos of a sunset in Ibiza. Among these images was one of her with Tomasoni, her arms around him, with a caption that read, “chasing sunsets in ibiza [sic].”

We offer our deepest condolences to Lorenzi’s family, boyfriend, friends, colleagues, and loved ones as they cope with this immense loss.

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