Bloom finding beauty in the unexpected Written by: Kelle Hampton

Brief Summary From the outside looking in, Kelle Hampton had the perfect life. She had a husband, daughter and a thriving career. Being ecstatic about the birth of her second daughter, her world changed forever when her daughter was placed in her arms for the first time. Kelle was unaware that her daughter was going to be born with down syndrome. Bloom takes us through her journey of anger and confusion, to eventually realizing and accepting that she was chosen to experience this extraordinary life. She had a gift to share with the world and it changed her life.

Kelle Hamptons Story Kelle moved to Naples, Florida after finishing her education degree in Michigan to begin her own journey. After the school year began one of her coworkers introduced her to a man named Brett, who had two boys of his own. After three years of dating, Kelle and Brett found themselves married and starting a family of their own. Kelle eventually quit her teaching career as she fell in love with photography and wanted to make a living out of that. Shortly after getting married, Brett and Kelle welcomed in their first child together, a little girl named Lainey. After Lainey turned two, Brett and Kelle decided to try for their second child together.

NEW JOURNEY Kelle eventually found out that she was having a second daughter and decided she was going to name her Nella. Her friends and family were very involved in her pregnancy and wanted to share the journey with her. They all collected at the hospital and threw a “Welcome Nella” themed party after the baby was born. Kelle was unaware that her daughter was going to be born with down syndrome. She struggled to comprehend why God did this to her and what a toll it would take on her family. She did not only think it was fair that her oldest daughter would never get the experience the bond of having a sister.

Acceptance After a year of tears and struggle, Kelle finally accepted that she was chosen to live this lifestyle and she was going to live it out to the fullest. Throughout this year journey Kelle created a day to day blog that quickly became very popular. She gave her honest opinion about her experience that sparked much controversy. She traveled great distances with her girls to meet up with families who she was connected to through her blog. (These were families who had children with disabilities as well.) Kelle threw a first birthday party for Nella and invited all of the people who had been her support system over the past year and decided that night that she was going to attend the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention with a few of her friends. She received an unexpected reward for her blog.

Nella’s rockstars After coming home from the convention Kelle prepared with family and friends to do the “Buddy Walk” Team name was Nella’s Rockstars because that was Kelle’s mentality over the past year. She started the goal to raise $15,000 for the walk and ended up raising that in one day. She reached the goal of $105,000

Why should you read this book? Kelle has such an honest and unique perspective about her experience. She truly realizes that life is a special gift that we often take for granted. Believing that the universe has plans that might be better then the ones we planned for ourselves. States how it is her that needed to be transformed by a greater love, not her daughters.

Reflection This book taught me that anyone can get through their darkest days even when they think it is impossible. Having a child with a disability can actually bring joy and happiness into your life. Every child deserves the same opportunities in life.