Facilitator and Kentucky State Coordinator

My name is Kelly Nicholls. I am the mother of three and married to the love of my life. Being a mother and wife are my top priorities. Spending time with my family is the highlight of every day. Professionally, I do marketing for a local hospital. I have a master's degree in Social Work and spend a small percentage of my time in the clinical arena. I have always been a high energy person and have the God given strength of finding good in every situation. I try to keep balance in my life by feeling fulfilled spiritually, psychologically, and physically. My personal strengths were tested the day our family lost our precious Blake.

On June 13, 2001 my husband and I gave birth to our first born son Blake Andrew Nicholls. He was absolutely beautiful--just what we ordered. He had brown hair, blue eyes, and chunky little legs. Blake weighed 8lbs, 2oz and was 21 inches long. The only problem was that Blake was born still because God called our precious little boy home before his Daddy, Mommy, Big Sister, or Grandparents could look into his eyes and tell him how much we love him. The moment we were told that Blake had died is a moment that will live in my soul forever. The pain was so intense that words simply cannot describe it. Our tears and cries came from somewhere deep inside our bodies that we had no control over. The 27 hours of labor was physically, mentally, and spiritually overwhelming. I didn't know who I was. It was as if someone ripped out my soul and left this shell of a human being on earth. I felt transparent. I couldn't believe that I was actually breathing, that I had a pulse, that I could put one foot in front of the other. Blake died from an umbilical cord accident. The doctors and nurses told us it was "a fluke." They said there was nothing anyone could have done about it. I felt so powerless. That response from the medical community made me and my husband angry. Our anger is what lead us to Dr. Jason Collins of the Pregnancy Institute in New Orleans. His research on umbilical cord accidents is beginning to sweep the nation. In addition to hosting educational events with the medical community, my husband and I make it our mission to educate everyone we know on umbilical cord accidents and the value of fetal movement.

God surprised my husband and I by blessing us with our second son due on Christmas day 2002. He looks a lot like his big brother and many times I look into his eyes and feel Blake's spirit intertwined in the love we share for each other. Blake is a part of our family's life everyday and during the times we need him most he sends a message that only those who love him most can understand. We thank God for bringing Blake into our lives because his spirit continues to change our family for the better. We miss his physical presence each day and I know my heart will never feel complete until the day I meet him in Heaven but until then I will enjoy the spiritual relationship I share with him and God and I will NEVER stop fighting for the cause.

kelly@missfoundation.org