MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) - A Mid-South family was forced to prepare themselves for the death of a child born with a rare birth defect.
The Walker family checked into the hospital knowing they would not be going home with baby Grayson James Walker.
"At first, I questioned God and wondered why he would choose us for this," said Heather Walker.
Sixteen weeks into her pregnancy, Heather Walker found out her baby had a fatal birth defect.
"It's known as Anecephaly, and this is one of the variations of what we call an open neural tube defect," said the family's doctor Roy Bors-Koefoed, M.D.
"The risk of Anecephaly is about one in 1,000 in the general population", added Bors-Koefoed.
They of course gave us the option to terminate," said Heather Walker.
The Walkers chose to carry Grayson to full term. Heather Walker said she turned to her faith to prepare herself for the days ahead.
"My husband and I, we started prayer and we knew that God knew since the beginning of time that he had us for this," said Heather Walker.
"Honestly, just seeing the strength that she had motivated me to be a better husband and a better father to my kids," said Patrick Walker.
Grayson was the family's third child.
"Ellie wanted to know why was mommy crying," said Heather Walker.
Fighting through her fears, Heather Walker talked to her children about Grayson and said she wanted to keep the experience joyful.
"As soon as they brought him around to me, all those fears and everything were taken away," she said.
With the help of non-profit organization, Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, the Walker family had a photographer capture the hours they had with baby Grayson.
By treating his birth like any other special delivery, the Walkers hope to keep Grayson's memory alive forever.
"Yes, I'm going to cry and I'm probably going to lay in my bed some days, but I have that hope that God has got him in his hands and we're going to get to meet him again someday," said Heather Walker.
"You know, my son lived almost eight hours, and he's already done in eight hours what I could never do in a hundred lifetimes, and that's awesome," said Patrick Walker.
The Walker family thanked the staff at Methodist Germantown.
Funeral arrangements for Grayson are still pending due to the overwhelming cost to the family. Donations can be made several ways.
Contributions can be made at any First Citizens Bank Millington Branch. Donations can also be mailed to the following address:
Benefit for Grayson James Walker
PO Box 99
Millington, TN 38083
Also, anyone can donate by PayPal to graysonjameswalker@yahoo.com.
The Walkers said they also hope to raise awareness for the rare birth defect Anecephaly.
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A Mid-South family was forced to prepare themselves for the death of a child born with a rare birth defect.
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