Nurse Adopts Baby Girl Who Had No Visitors During Her Hospital Stay

National   |   Micaiah Bilger   |   Apr 8, 2019   |   4:46PM   |   Washington, DC

Nurse Liz Smith began visiting baby Gisele in her hospital bed when no one else was.

The Massachusetts woman was single, approaching 40 and losing all hope of having the large family that she wanted some day, according to the Franciscan Children’s Hospital blog.

But visiting baby Gisele brightened her day. Both were struggling, and both needed each other.

Fox News reports Smith recently adopted Gisele after fostering her for nearly two years. The little girl now is thriving at home with her adoptive mom.

Gisele was born 11 weeks prematurely in 2016 after being exposed to narcotics in her birth mother’s womb, according to the report. The hospital noted that the infant weighed a little less than 2 pounds at birth and was diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

About that same time, Smith learned that she would not qualify for in vitro fertilization, meaning she likely would never be able to bear children, the report continued. While working at the hospital, she met Gisele and began to visit her.

“Since the moment I met her, there was something behind her striking blue eyes capturing my attention,” she told the Washington Post. “I felt that I needed to love this child and keep her safe.

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“I went to see her every day. It was kind of my reward after a long workday,” Smith continued.

According to the hospital blog, Smith was Gisele’s only visitor during her three-months stay in the neonatal intensive care unit.

When the state took custody of the baby girl, Smith decided to apply to be her foster mother. Her wish was granted. For two years, Smith took care of Gisele; she also took her to visits with her birth parents, but those visits became less frequent. Eventually, the state moved to terminate parental rights, and Gisele’s birth parents did not appeal, according to the report.

On Oct. 18, 2018, she took the name Gisele Katherine Smith, and the two officially became mother and daughter.

Liz Smith said the judge praised her when he walked into the room for their adoption hearing.

“When a judge walks in the room, everyone stands out of respect,” he told Smith. “But today I stand in respect for you, Liz because you deserve the respect from this room. A birthing day is a miracle. But adopting a child from miles away is destiny. That’s what brought you two together.”

Gisele still has physical struggles: Smith said she uses a feeding tube, but she is beginning to eat some solid foods as well.

“She’s doing remarkable, it’s just a slow progression, but in the right direction,” Smith said.

Beautiful adoption stories like these demonstrate that every child is wanted by someone. And despite the adversities that they may face, every child’s life is a life worth living.