Jennifer Bertrand (aka Winston's Mom)

Occupation: Mom, wife, interior designer, artist

The cause(s) that are most important to me is/are: It is very important to me to share a positive perspective on the adventures we've found ourselves on as well as sharing what we've learned the hard way so no one else has to! I am an open book, so ask away and no question is silly!

My relationship to the person with special needs is: Mother

The special needs that affect my life are: Winston was born with a mixed Lymphatic and Venous Malformation. He has a trach, a mic-key button and 16 hours of nursing a day.

Name: Jennifer Bertrand (aka Winston's Mom)

About me

Hi, my name is Jennifer Bertrand and life threw me a left hook!

Two years ago, I had the most surreal moments of my life, at least for now that is……

Within a year and a half, I had won an interior design reality show (HGTV’s Design Star, Season 3), found out I was pregnant with our first child, was told Winston had a tumor while five months pregnant, delivered Winston via an EXIT surgery, was given a new diagnosis, became a NICU mom for 7 weeks, watched our son receive a trach and mic-key button, was initiated into the world of in-home health care for 16 hours a day, experienced Winston coding on us once and my lovely English husband saving him, have had various PICU stays, and have recently become a seasoned traveler to NYC for Winston’s treatments…………………

Yep, that’s our life and I have to say, I love it!!! Not to mention, that I'm married to a brilliant Englishman, named Chris, who is a very supportive husband and dad.

Now would I choose to do things differently for Winston's sake, of course. But I can’t--- so why not enjoy the positives, which is what I’m going to share via my podcast series that will be airing on The Children's Rare Disease website. http://www.crdnetwork.org/

Winston was born with a mixed Lymphatic and Venous Malformation. Doctors can give us no reason as to why it happened, its pure luck of the draw……..a lightning strike as we were told. Of course I would have preferred the lightning strike of winning the lottery but in a weird twisted way, I think we have…..won the ‘life experiences’ lottery that is.

So nice to meet you and thank you for taking the time to read this! :)
jen