Trigger Warning! This article discusses the loss of a child.
Laura Fitzsimons has experienced the pain no parent ever should – the loss of a child. Her daughter, Laney Jaymes, suffered debilitating strokes that began at age 3 ½ and lasted until she passed away ten months later, on March 27, 2017. In the six years since Laney’s passing, Laura has channeled her grief into honoring the spirit and purpose of Laney’s life.
Many of us visit downtown Annapolis with our children to stroll the historic streets, enjoy local treats, and of course, feed the ducks. If you’ve been to City Dock, you may have stopped to rest on the benches in the middle of the space, placed under a leafy Crepe Myrtle tree. Laney’s memorial is captured on plaques affixed to each of the benches. One faces the tranquility of the water, while the other is a fantastic place to watch people stroll past busy Market Space.
We recently chatted with Laura about Laney, her journey, and those benches. We thought you might like to hear more about Laney and how her spirit rests in a place many of us visit regularly.
Laney Jaymes Fitzsimons
Laney was a happy, intelligent, healthy child who embraced the beauty of the world around her. A stunning little girl, a bright redhead, she was articulate for her age and wise beyond her years. Laney loved mastering puzzles, reading books, asking questions, and following her curiosity. She was full of joy. She loved Jessie from Toy Story, dance classes, her neighborhood friends, swimming, and most of all, her mommy and daddy. Laura says Laney was a mommy and daddy’s girl, a sweet and innocent child.
One night in the bath, Laura noticed a quick change in Laney. A flash of dullness in her eyes, her speech slightly slurred. A small change in her typical spirit. Maybe she was tired? Perhaps she wasn’t feeling well? The flash of unwellness happened briefly and ended quietly. Two weeks later, the same thing happened, but much more severely, including slurred speech, trouble walking, facial weakness, and confusion. This time, Laura and Laney’s father, Brian rushed Laney to the emergency room.
Laney was misdiagnosed with epilepsy and placed on medications her little body rejected. Adverse reactions to medication were followed by her first massive debilitating stroke. The misdiagnosis of epilepsy prevented Laney from receiving the proper treatment for a series of mini strokes that occurred over the course of several weeks, undetected by her pediatrician, emergency room doctors, her neurologist and emergency medical technicians. The strokes robbed Laney of her ability to eat, speak, or walk. At the time, Laura was pregnant with her second child, also a girl, but spent every day and night with Laney in the hospital. Laney’s last words were to her mom, “I love you too.”
Laney’s hospitalization lasted the entire summer, and included her first brain surgery. Later, she endured months of intensive therapy intended to help her learn to eat, move, speak, and play again. “Laney worked so hard to get better,” said Laura. “She participated in speech, occupational, and physical therapy nearly daily. And even though there were lots of tears, there were also many moments of pure joy. Laney’s laugh melted the hearts of everyone.”
Despite progress, Laney suffered recurrent strokes. Another massive stroke erased most gains from therapy, and she lost her vision. A short time later, she suffered a series of additional acute strokes. Her condition became terminal.
“Laney taught friends and strangers alike so much about life, love, perseverance, strength, heart, kindness, and never taking things for granted,” Laura said. Through the unspeakable pain and tragedy of her illness, Laney continued to shower her family and friends with humor and a positive spirit. It’s these memories of a child’s beautiful smile that Laura and Laney’s father celebrate through the Laney Jaymes Foundation.
Pediatric Stroke Awareness
Organized to help raise awareness about pediatric stroke, the Laney Jaymes Foundation builds on Laney’s legacy of love, kindheartedness, and consideration for others. “She was always caring for something: animals, her toys, us,” said Laura. “Laney would love to know that she is the driving force to help other children.” Please take a moment to visit LaneyJames.org to learn more about the signs of Pediatric Stroke and the steps to take if your child experiences stroke-like symptoms.
The Marty Lyons Foundation, a non-profit organization that grants gifts and wishes to terminally sick children, reached out to Laura and Brian while Laney was in palliative care. The organization has eleven chapters in fourteen states. Hundreds of volunteers have granted more than 8,200 wishes while raising over $40,000,000. The foundation wanted to grant Laney a wish and offered to fund a beautiful plaque to memorialize her life.
Lover of the World and Feeder of Ducks
Laura and Brian chose the location for the plaque in downtown Annapolis not only for the beautiful memories they have of bringing Laney there but also because it’s a beautiful place to share Laney’s great love for life with the world. “We chose a location for the plaques that we knew we could visit no matter where we live. Also, we loved bringing Laney to Annapolis, and she loved the time we spent there. Mostly, we wanted to share Laney’s spirit with other children,” Laura said.
She worked with the City of Annapolis and Historic Annapolis Foundation to have the plaques affixed to benches under the Crepe Myrtle. Each plaque features a photo of Laney and says, “Lover of the world and feeder of ducks.” Imagine if we all could take these simple words to heart: more smiles, laughter, and memories, more time with family and friends, more sweetness and innocence. This joy for life is Laney’s legacy.
Next time you’re downtown, be sure to visit Laney’s bench. Have a seat, and watch the children laughing, jumping, and playing around you. Maybe even feed the ducks. Remember Laney, and make your smile as infectious and heartwarming as hers.
The Laney Jaymes Foundation
The Laney Jaymes Foundation for Pediatric Stroke (LJFPS) is dedicated to expanding awareness of pediatric stroke as well as raising funds for the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases that cause pediatric stroke. Founded in 2017, the Laney Jaymes Foundation for Pediatric Stroke was formed in honor of Lelaina Jaymes “Laney” Fitzsimons. Other areas of focus for LJFPS are to fund research focused on obtaining equivalent results of MRI in children without the use of sedation, as well as providing grants for equipment for special needs children. LJFPS is a volunteer-only run organization and a designated 501(c)3 charity.
By Diana Love, Lifestyle Editor with Laura Fitzsimons
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