She wasn’t supposed to survive. Born at just 1 pound, 8 ounces, baby Saylor entered the world fragile and facing enormous challenges. From the very first moments, every breath was a battle, and her tiny body confronted risks that most parents cannot imagine. Yet Saylor’s story is not one of despair—it is a testament to resilience, hope, and the extraordinary power of love, faith, and community.
From the moment she was born, it was clear that Saylor’s journey would be difficult. Premature and underweight, her tiny frame needed constant monitoring, specialized care, and round-the-clock attention. Her lungs were fragile, her immune system underdeveloped, and every day presented a new obstacle. The first breaths she took were a triumph in themselves, each inhale a small victory celebrated quietly by her parents, Shandala and her family, who were forced to grapple with the reality that survival was far from guaranteed.
Saylor spent 102 days in the NICU—a period marked by endless beeping monitors, IV lines, and careful interventions. She faced life-threatening complications, including pneumonia, which required aggressive treatment. Each infection, each episode of instability, brought waves of fear, tears, and sleepless nights for her parents. Yet throughout it all, Saylor showed a strength that belied her size. Despite every setback, she fought with determination, holding on to life in ways that inspired not only her family but also the staff who cared for her.
Shandala recalls the deep bond formed with the NICU team. The nurses, doctors, and specialists became an extension of their family, offering guidance, reassurance, and emotional support through every crisis. They were not just treating Saylor—they were supporting her mother through the terror, uncertainty, and exhaustion that accompany caring for a critically ill preemie. It was this combination of medical expertise and human compassion that helped Saylor survive and eventually thrive.
The journey was emotionally and physically exhausting. Shandala describes countless hours spent at Saylor’s bedside, holding her tiny hand, whispering words of comfort, and praying fervently for her safety. Each feeding, each measurement, and each milestone became a celebration. The simple act of gaining a few ounces, taking a full breath, or maintaining stable vital signs was monumental. In those moments, faith and hope were as essential as the medical interventions themselves.
After more than three months in the hospital, Saylor finally reached a turning point. Her health stabilized, her lungs strengthened, and she began to gain weight steadily. The relief for her parents was immeasurable. They had witnessed a journey of fragility, fear, and incredible perseverance, and they could finally see the light of a future they had long prayed for. Returning home marked a new chapter—one that still required careful attention, follow-up appointments, and vigilance—but it was also a chapter filled with hope, love, and the promise of life beyond the NICU walls.
Today, at 15 months old, Saylor is thriving. Her once fragile body is now strong, her lungs and immune system robust, and her bright personality shines through. She giggles, plays, and explores the world with curiosity and joy. Her survival is more than a personal triumph—it is a living example of what faith, perseverance, and the support of a compassionate community can achieve.
Shandala emphasizes that no parent should feel alone in moments of crisis. The journey through the NICU is isolating, frightening, and overwhelming, but support networks, both medical and personal, can provide hope and strength. She encourages other mothers to hold onto hope, lean on the expertise and care of their medical team, and trust in the resilience of their children.
Saylor’s story is a reminder that miracles are possible, even in the most fragile moments. It underscores the importance of skilled neonatal care, the power of human compassion, and the enduring strength of family love. Every breath she takes is a victory; every milestone is a testament to courage, determination, and the unyielding will to survive.
From the first tiny cry that heralded her arrival to the laughter that now fills her home, Saylor has shown that the human spirit, combined with faith, care, and community, can overcome even the most daunting odds. Her journey is not just about survival—it is about hope, inspiration, and the profound reminder that life, no matter how small at its beginning, can flourish in ways that awe and inspire all who witness it.
For Shandala and her family, every day with Saylor is a gift, and every smile a triumph. Her story continues to inspire families facing the uncertainty of premature birth, reminding them that love, perseverance, and faith can guide even the tiniest warriors through the darkest storms.
Saylor is living proof that miracles happen, and her journey continues to offer hope to parents, families, and caregivers everywhere who dare to dream of life beyond the odds.
A 9-Year-Old Fighter Battling for Every Breath.371b
This morning, families and friends are being asked to lift a prayer for 9-year-old Stryker Glenn of Hoover, Alabama. Stryker, a brave boy with a history of extraordinary medical challenges, was rushed to Children’s of Alabama yesterday morning, battling pneumonia and a collapsed lung. The situation has reignited both concern and hope for his parents, Robby and Lindsay Glenn, who have been by his side through every trial since his earliest days.
Stryker was diagnosed with Tatton Brown Rahman Syndrome, a rare genetic condition, as a young child. The syndrome brings with it a host of challenges, including orthopedic complications, cardiac defects, seizures, and low muscle tone. From the very beginning, Stryker has faced medical hurdles that would overwhelm most adults, yet he has consistently displayed resilience, determination, and courage beyond his years.
His medical journey began in 2017 when he was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation, a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal, putting pressure on critical areas of the brain. Stryker underwent surgery to relieve this pressure, a procedure that offered a chance at improved function but marked the start of a lifetime of medical vigilance. By the age of two, Stryker endured seizures and persistent vomiting, a harbinger of the difficult path ahead.
In 2019, Stryker faced one of the most frightening moments of his life and that of his parents. During a seizure, he began to aspirate and went into cardiac arrest. Robby and Lindsay rushed him to a nearby hospital, performing CPR as Stryker’s young body stopped breathing. Hospital staff were able to revive him, but the lack of oxygen caused an Anoxic Brain Injury, a life-altering event that left him a quadriplegic. Doctors initially gave him just a month to live, yet Stryker fought with an indomitable spirit, remaining in a coma for over five months before returning to his family’s embrace.
Since that time, Stryker has required 24-hour care, and the prognosis has remained cautious. After his brain injury, doctors estimated he might live only two to five years. But Stryker has consistently defied expectations, demonstrating a strength and determination that inspires everyone who knows his story. Throughout 2024, he faced additional health challenges, yet he persisted, his resilience and spirit unwavering.
Yesterday, however, Stryker’s family faced a new challenge. The onset of pneumonia and a collapsed lung threatened his fragile health. The Glenns, experienced in medical crises, were once again thrust into the uncertainty and worry that accompanies serious pediatric illness. Their devotion and vigilance have been constants throughout his life, ensuring he receives the care, monitoring, and support he needs to fight for each day.
Amid the fear and uncertainty of yesterday, a glimmer of hope emerged. This morning, Stryker opened his eyes for the first time since his admission to the hospital. “Opening his eyes was a start,” Robby shared, describing the relief and cautious optimism that the family felt in that moment. It was a small but significant milestone—a signal that Stryker’s body was responding and that his fight was not over.
For Stryker, every day is a battle, and every small sign of progress is monumental. His life has been marked by moments of intense struggle, yet each victory, no matter how minor it may seem to outsiders, represents the triumph of determination and courage. From a coma lasting five months to today’s first awakening in the hospital, Stryker has shown a resilience that is rare and remarkable.
The Glenn family’s journey is a testament to unwavering parental love. Robby and Lindsay have devoted themselves entirely to Stryker’s care, providing support, advocacy, and comfort through every hospital stay, surgery, and medical complication. Their prayers, hope, and constant vigilance have created an environment in which Stryker can continue to fight and make progress, even when faced with life-threatening illness.
Stryker’s story is also a reminder of the fragility and preciousness of life. Each breath, each heartbeat, and each opening of his eyes serves as a reminder that resilience, faith, and the love of a devoted family can carry a child through extraordinary adversity. Friends, community members, and those who follow Stryker’s journey are encouraged to offer prayers, support, and encouragement, reinforcing the network of hope that surrounds him.
As the day unfolds, the Glenn family hopes for continued improvement. They remain vigilant, hopeful, and prayerful, asking for guidance, healing, and strength for Stryker. Every gesture of encouragement, every message of support, and every prayer offered contributes to the strength and morale of the family and the courageous boy at the center of their lives.
Stryker Glenn’s journey is ongoing, and his resilience serves as an inspiration to all who know him. He has faced conditions that would test the spirit of any child or adult, yet he continues to demonstrate courage, determination, and the will to live. The opening of his eyes today, however small it may seem, symbolizes the ongoing fight, the hope that sustains his family, and the miraculous strength he exhibits every day.
In the coming hours, Stryker’s family will monitor his condition closely, celebrate any signs of improvement, and continue to surround him with love and care. The story of Stryker Glenn is one of bravery, perseverance, and the extraordinary power of hope. May we all take a moment to pray for him, send encouragement, and keep faith that this remarkable boy will continue to defy the odds.
