Expecting twins is a joyous moment for many parents, but for Millie and Louis, their journey took a heartbreaking turn when they discovered that one of their twins, Skye, was diagnosed with anencephaly, a rare condition affecting the baby’s brain development. Tragically, they lost Skye shortly after her birth, a loss no parent should have to endure.
This life-altering experience led them to channel their grief into something meaningful. They created the Skye High Foundation and launched the Purple Butterfly Initiative, a unique campaign aimed at supporting families who face similar losses.
The initiative introduced purple butterfly stickers in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) settings worldwide. These stickers act as a silent signal, letting hospital staff and visitors know that a family has lost one baby in a multiple birth. This small but impactful gesture prevents unintended remarks that could deepen the family’s emotional pain during an already challenging time.
Through the foundation, Millie and Louis also provide support groups and resources to help grieving parents navigate their journeys. As Millie poignantly shares, “Ultimately, I will never be able to stop this from happening, but the more support groups we can set up and initiatives like the stickers we can introduce, the better it will be. It’s the hardest thing anyone has to deal with.”