Andrea West and her husband married in 2006 and dreamed of starting a family. Their joy turned to heartbreak when she miscarried at 11 weeks. “I blamed myself,” she said, not knowing that one in four women experience pregnancy loss. With her husband’s support, she tried again, following every guideline for a healthy pregnancy.

When Andrea learned she was having a boy, she was thrilled to become a “boy mom.” On September 21, she gave birth to Adam, despite very low amniotic fluid. Doctors urgently cut the cord, revealing something wrong with his leg. Covered in red marks and bruises, Adam was diagnosed with Cutis Marmorata Telangiectatica Congenita (CMTC), a rare vascular condition with only about 500 documented cases.

Adam passed his initial heart and brain tests and was discharged, though he saw multiple specialists in the weeks after birth. His parents began extensive research and attended medical conferences, meeting other CMTC families. Many doctors they spoke to had never seen the condition.

Their biggest worry was whether Adam would fit in socially. Today, he plays sports, has friends, and keeps up with other kids.

To Andrea, Adam is her “rainbow baby” — a symbol of hope, resilience, and unconditional love.