Kailani Gadlin DM

I am Kailani Gadlin, Connecticut Hub Leader for AAGF. I am a very busy Banker, Girl Scout troop leader and most importantly wife and mother of 3 beautiful girls.  Our journey with Gastroschisis started 14 years ago when our oldest, Navaiah, was diagnosed at my level 2 ultrasound at 16 weeks pregnant.  She was born on 12/16/00 at 36 weeks at the UCONN Health center NICU, after spending 3 long months there we were transferred to CCMC (CT Children’s Medical Center) and after 4 more months of testing and more procedures than I can remember Navaiah was placed on the wait list for a transplant and got her blessing on Feb 3, 2002 at Mount Siani in NYC.

Navaiah is now 13, a Cadette Girl Scout, getting ready for 8th grade and attends Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. She enjoys reading, arts and crafts, spending time with her sisters Gabby (9), Rebecca (6) and music.

I am a firm believer that all things happen for a reason, though this journey is far from a walk in the park, Navaiah has touched the lives of anyone who she meets and people that have only heard of her story.  For a child who has spent more than half of her life in the hospital-she would never want you to know it. The anxiety stress, pain and seclusion she has endured is very overwhelming, but we would not have been able to get through any of it with out my Faith, Family, Friends, medical team  and support of other Hospital Moms.  There is help out there, just ask for it.

Currently Navaiah is on the wait list for a replant with our Transplant Team at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC.