At just four years old, Hailey Wetmore has already faced challenges most people couldn’t imagine, and she’s doing it all with a smile.
Born with a rare condition called cloacal exstrophy, H. Wetmore has spent much of her young life in and out of hospitals. But through it all, she and her family have shared her journey on her Facebook page called Hope For Hailey, inspiring others with updates filled with strength and positivity.
After recently undergoing three major surgeries that went amazingly well, H. Wetmore’s story is one of courage, resilience, and hope beyond her years.
- Wetmore’s mom, Kyra Wetmore, states, “Every appointment we get more info about what they actually did, and I think my mouth sits on the floor every time.”
- Wetmore’s family found out there was something wrong with her anatomy scan at only 20 weeks into the pregnancy. After the long pregnancy, when H. Wetmore was born, they were finally able to make an official diagnosis of her rare disease.
Cloacal exstrophy is a rare and serious congenital condition, meaning it happens before a baby is born.
It affects the development of the lower abdominal wall and organs such as the bladder, intestines, and sometimes parts of the reproductive system. In babies born with cloacal exstrophy, some of these organs may be exposed outside of the body because the abdominal wall does not fully close during early development, according to childrenshospital.org.
The condition requires multiple surgeries and long-term medical care to help protect the organs, improve function, and support healthy growth. While it presents many challenges, advances in pediatric surgery have made it possible for children with cloacal exstrophy to receive treatment and continue to grow and thrive, and H. Wetmore is a great example of that.
The support for H. Wetmore extends far beyond her family and into the heart of the community. Because her father, Justin Wetmore, and uncle are members of the Milford Fire Department (MFD), the department has rallied around her in incredible ways.
- Wetmore explains, “The MFD has done a lot of fundraisers, but more importantly, they were family to us. I truly don’t think we could have done this if Justin weren’t in a department with such incredible people.”
From covering J. Wetmore’s shifts to showing support during important moments, the firefighters have become part of H. Wetmore’s extended family. Their constant love and support remind H. Wetmore’s family that they are never facing this journey alone.
Local member of MFD, Jake Burwell states, “The fire service is known for helping each other when someone from within the department is in need or going through a challenging situation. When it happened to be a family like the Wetmore’s, I knew I had to go above and beyond to help them get through Hailey’s medical journey.”
One of H. Wetmore’s favorite things is collecting firefighter patches, a small but meaningful way she feels connected to her heroes. Thanks to her ties to the MFD, she has received patches from firefighters near and far. During hospital stays, those patches help brighten her room, covering the walls with color and reminding her of the people cheering her on.
Each one represents strength, bravery, and the powerful support system standing behind her every step of the way.
The Wetmores’ story stands as a powerful reminder that courage doesn’t depend on age. With resilience far beyond her years, H. Wetmore continues to show that even the smallest fighters can carry the biggest hope.
