Remembering Maddie
For Baby Loss Awareness Week, Kelly and James are sharing the story of their daughter Maddison, known affectionately as Maddie. They hope to celebrate her life, raise awareness of rare chromosome disorders and recognise the hospital teams and charity supporters who helped their family through their time together and continue to support them now.
For Kelly and James, Maddie was a long-awaited “miracle baby”, making the news that they were expecting their daughter especially precious.
At 29 weeks pregnant, they learned that Maddie had holes in her heart. At that stage, there was hope that these could be repaired. Concerns about her growth followed, and Maddie was born by caesarean section on 27th February 2026, at 35 weeks, weighing 4lb 9oz.
She was taken straight to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and further investigations revealed a rare chromosome disorder, which caused additional complications and meant she needed ongoing specialist care.
Kelly was first able to hold her daughter on her second day of life, while James waited five days for his first cuddle. As the weeks and months passed, other people who loved Maddie shared those precious moments too. Kelly’s close friend, known as “Nanny Linda”, had her first cuddle after nine weeks, and Maddie’s Grandad held her after four months.
“She made such an impact on everyone who met her and was loved by so many people.”
Maddie was a content baby who loved her disco lights and listening to her mum sing Disney songs. Kelly was closely involved in her everyday care, helping with baths, dressing and all the little routines that allowed her to connect with her daughter.
“The staff were amazing and supported me to help with as much of her care as possible. I spent all day, every day, at the hospital with her.”
Kelly describes Maddie as “quiet and content most of the time…but she was also a wee character who kept everyone on their toes”, earning herself the affectionate title of “NICU’s biggest troublemaker”.
Alongside the moments of joy, Maddie needed significant medical support. She had surgery to open her nasal airways and another procedure to insert a Hickman line when it became difficult to place cannulas.
Despite the challenges she faced, Maddie was a fighter. On Mother’s Day, Maddie came off her ventilator and on Father’s Day, she came off her CPAP breathing support.
“It seemed like her way of giving us a wee gift on our special days”
Throughout it all, the neonatal team cared for Maddie and helped Kelly and James throughout their hospital journey.
“They were just amazing in every way, absolute angels. They’ll always be part of our family now.”
During Maddie’s time in neonatal care, support funded by Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity helped her family stay connected.
Pictures and videos sent through vCreate allowed Kelly and James to see their daughter when they couldn’t be beside her, Miniboo comforters helped keep their scent close to Maddie, and The Little Inky Feet project ensured they were able to create lasting memories.
“Getting to do her footprints was a lovely way to bond and do something that felt normal.”
The family also enjoyed gifts to mark important days, while Maddie received donor milk from the milk bank. These different forms of support became part of their life in the unit, helping them share special moments and feel close to their little girl.
Maddie remained in the Neonatal Unit for four months before being transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
“It was a big change for us but the staff there were amazing as well and helped us get Maddie into a pram for the first time.”
Very sadly, at five months old, Kelly and James were told their daughter only had a short time to live.
“We asked if she could go “home” to the neonatal unit and the team moved heaven and earth to make that happen. When we got there, we got to spend time with family, make memories, including hand and foot casts, and take our time saying a final goodnight to our girl.”
In gratitude for the care and support their family received, Kelly arranged a collection for the charity’s NICU fund at Maddie’s funeral.
Today, Kelly and James are receiving support from the bereavement team at Crossbasket House and a tribute leaf on the remembrance tree in the sanctuary will also honour Maddie’s life.
“We’re eternally grateful to the teams who looked after Maddie, and to everyone whose support makes the charity’s work possible. This charity is one I will support for the rest of my life.”