Sara Farmer is a mom to six children. However, her fourth offspring, Tyler Shepherd Jr., affectionately known as Baby Ty, holds a special place in her heart. The expected delivery date was October 15th. However, baby ty was born four days later on October 19th, 2015. This particular day was also Sara’s birthday. She had an extraordinary feeling about this event from the very start. It was in the early morning hours of October 19th that Sara went into labor. Sara could wait no longer, so she told Tyler Sr. that it was time to leave for the hospital. They had gotten into the car, and before they could reach the hospital, her water broke. They arrived at the hospital at 9:05 a.m. The doctors checked Sara and found that she was already dilated to a nine. Baby Ty was born quickly at 9:45 a.m.
Sara could clearly remember the doctor’s words. “He looks healthy, with the exception that he was born without a right arm.” It was in this moment that Sara lost it. She felt fear flood through her as she wondered if she was responsible for this situation. This was perhaps one of the scariest moments of her life.
She didn’t know what it meant to raise a child one-handed. What scared her most, however, was that she wasn’t sure she could be a good mother to him. The baby blues took much longer to get out of her system than she had anticipated. She could think of nothing else but the way others might treat her son, if they were going to be mean, or if the other children were going to question or doubt him. Resolute in her determination to be the best mother that she could be, Sara started researching the birth defect that her son had.
Nevertheless, Baby Ty demonstrated to himself and the world what he was made of early on in life. Baby Ty had an angelic soul and an ever-present smile. Sara was astonished by how rapidly Baby Ty learned and adjusted. Baby Ty walked at nine months. There were times when Baby Ty was frustrated by his arm, and Sara was there to console him. Sara made several attempts to get Baby Ty approved for SSI benefits, but was rejected each time until she stopped applying altogether.
All this changed in one visit to The Coteau des Prairies Hospital. Sara brought Baby Ty with her, and the doctor noticed him right away. The questions began – about Baby Ty, about his needs, and whether he was being taken care of. This time, Sara was noticed. The doctor made calls and set up an appointment at Shriners Hospital in Minneapolis. From then on, events occurred rapidly. Sara and Baby Ty made three visits to Shriners Hospital, during which he was assessed and fitted with a prosthetic arm. After two and a half years of prayers being answered, doors swung open. Sara had a sense of relief beyond words, as though a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
During one of the hospital visits, Baby Ty received a special treat. He was given a teddy bear donated by Southwest Airlines and Build-A-Bear in celebration of National Teddy Bear Day. The hospital distributed them during stressful visits to comfort the kids. Baby Ty took to the teddy bear immediately. Baby Ty adapted to his prosthetic arm surprisingly quickly. Within a few attempts, he began to grasp objects using the prosthetic. But as he grows, there will come a time when modifications are made, and maybe he can advance to a more sophisticated one. Throughout this experience, Baby Ty never forgets his teddy bear. At night, he holds it in his bed, tucks it in so it won’t get too cold, holds it tight, and kisses it goodnight.
Sara still celebrates October as a special month. Having a birthday on the same day as Baby Ty is almost like receiving a present. Sara attends church regularly, but sometimes, when she’s with an infant who reminds her of Baby Ty, something inside of her urges her to return the favor by taking the life that has been given to her. Sara feels that God gave her the baby for a reason.
