When Millie Smith and Lewis Cann found out they were expecting a baby, they were overjoyed. As there was a history of twins in Millie’s family, she had a strong feeling that she was going to give birth to two little ones, and her instincts were right. The ultrasound confirmed that she was indeed expecting twins, but the doctors told them that one of the babies had a very small chance of survival.
ragically, one of their daughters was born at 30 weeks with anencephaly, a serious condition that affects the development of the brain and spinal cord. They learned that their precious baby had only moments or hours to live.
Knowing this, Millie and Lewis wanted to give her a name before they said goodbye. They chose the name Skye. Millie explained: “We felt she needed a name before she arrived. Knowing she wouldn’t be with us for long, I wanted her to have a name in those fleeting moments”.
The name “Skye” symbolized a connection to a place they could always remember when they looked up to the sky. “We held Skye close as she died. It was the most heartbreaking moment of our lives, but I’m proud that she fought to spend that time with us.” Skye only lived for three hours, a brief time filled with love while her parents cherished her beauty and presence.
After her death, Millie and Lewis were supported by a “bereavement midwife” and given access to a “Daisy Room”, a special room where parents could spend time with their baby before and after death. However, after Skye was gone, her memory seemed to fade; no one spoke of her, leaving Millie feeling like her daughter had never existed, which made her angry.
“Most of the nurses knew what had happened, but as the weeks went by, people stopped mentioning Skye. Other families around me had no idea about our loss”, Millie recalls.
While her other daughter, Callie, was still in the NICU, another mother who knew nothing about Millie’s situation remarked how lucky she was not to have twins. “None of the other parents knew about Skye, and that innocent comment almost broke me. I left the room in tears but didn’t have the heart to explain”, Millie said. “A simple sticker could have prevented this.”
This experience inspired Millie to design a sticker for incubators to mark the loss of one or more babies in a multiple birth. She chose butterflies to symbolise the ‘flown away’ babies and used the colour purple, which is suitable for any gender.
From this idea grew the Skye High Foundation, which promotes the Purple Butterflies initiative and helps raise awareness in hospitals around the world. The foundation also offers a range of purple butterfly merchandise.
“Although I can’t prevent these situations from occurring, I believe the more support we can provide through initiatives like the stickers, the better it will be for others who suffer this loss. It’s an incredibly tough journey”, said Millie. Today, her surviving daughter Callie is seven years old.
Celebrating 81 years of Dynasty’s Krystle Carrington: Check out her current look!
The American soap opera “Dynasty” captured audiences worldwide in the 1980s, drawing viewers in with its compelling drama and complex relationships among characters like Blake Carrington, his wife Krystle Carrington, their children, and Blake’s ex-wife Alexis. The saga of the affluent Carrington family kept thousands glued to their screens, making the actors of “Dynasty” household names. Even today, many cherish the memories of this iconic series.
“Dynasty” was groundbreaking for its era, featuring intense power struggles, romantic conflicts, and sibling rivalries. The 1980s, characterized by bold colors, glamour, and extravagant hairstyles, provided the perfect backdrop for this opulent series.
At the heart of its success were the unforgettable performances of the cast, particularly Linda Evans and Joan Collins, who portrayed the fierce rivalry between Krystle and Alexis. Linda Evans embodied Krystle Grant Jennings Carrington, a character often seen as the heart of the show. Having started from the series’ inception, Evans received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 1982 for her role.
Reflecting on her journey, Evans once said: “That role was the answer to a prayer. I had just separated from my second husband and was uncertain about my future. I had never aimed to be an actress; I wanted to be a wife and mother. But at 39, I decided to pursue my career, and soon after, ‘Dynasty’ came along”.
Evans found a kindred spirit in Krystle, who sought love over wealth, embodying the same desires Evans had in her own life. Before her fame on “Dynasty”, Evans had already made a name for herself as “Audra” in the 1960s western series “The Big Valley” alongside Barbara Stanwyck.
After the series wrapped, Evans faced personal challenges, including depression following the illness of loved ones. In a 2016 interview, she described this period: “My life was in pieces. I struggled to understand my depression, and my health suffered”.
Although she stepped away from acting after 1997, Evans made a notable return in the 2021 film “Swan Song”. “I’m in love with this movie”, she shared. “It’s remarkable to be working at 78, but as I say: ‘Anything is possible’.”
Now at 81, Evans continues to inspire fans, reminding us of the enduring legacy of “Dynasty” and its beloved characters.
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