Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Josie Duggar: Miracle Child

"You're fixing to have a little sister here in a few minutes," Jim Bob Duggar told his children during a brief phone call on December 10th, 2009. His voice was shaking as he prepared to join his wife in the operating room at UAMS Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. "Just tell everybody to pray, okay?"

Six years ago, the Duggars' lives were turned upside down when a potentially life-threatening complication known as preeclampsia forced Michelle to deliver Baby #19 at 25 weeks gestation. Josie Brooklyn Duggar was born via emergency C-section, weighing a mere 1 lb 6 oz.

"...We praise God when all the good things are happening, and we're going to praise God, even through this difficult situation, " Jim Bob told TLC.

The months that followed Josie's premature birth were full of ups and downs. She remained in the hospital until early April 2010, when she was released for just a couple days before being rushed back. After solving her digestive problems, doctors sent Josie home permanently in June.

Today, Josie Duggar is a healthy, lively little girl who is fixing to turn six years old tomorrow. In honor of her birthday, take a look at this video filmed in January 2010.

Do you remember hearing about Josie's premature birth back in 2009?

31 comments:

  1. Aww I remember watching Josie being born on the show she was so tiny and beautiful and now she's growing up getting bigger well Happy 6th birthday to you Josie you are a blessing to your family hope today is special for You !!!

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  2. Wow! Really every baby is a miracle, but preemies are even more!

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  3. Happy Birthday Josie! You have grown into a beautiful girl. I hope you enjoy your special day and what are you choosing to do for your birthday?

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  4. It doesn't seem like it's been 6 years ago little Josie was born. She has become a beautiful little lady since then. Happy birthday Josie. Hope you have a great day 🙏🏻❤️🎂🌹🎉👑🎁🎈🍨😇

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  5. I am not trying to be rude, but why did they keep on ?

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  6. She truly is a miracle!

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  7. I could not watch TLC at that time. When I had cable again was brought up to date on her story. Some close friends had their first child a son very early too and during that time I more than once reminded myself and my husband of Josie's miracle. That little boy is now 1 and doing great.

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  8. I really liked your show I may not believe the same as your family but God is in m life. Just want you to know that I think you good strong family values, it was seen on the show.

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  9. Happy day early birthday Josie you are Such a blessed and great gift From God our Lord and savior Jesus christ Josie I have loved watching you For what Josie on TV happy 6th birthday may the Lord Jesus bless you in the days and years to come I love you Josie
    In Christian love
    Hannah Beth Miller
    From bowling Green Kentucky

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  10. Josie is an amazing little miracle girl. However, I believe the Good Lord is sending a message to Michelle in that she needs to realize her days of becoming pregnant are over. Michelle has beautiful grandchildren & needs to focus on her younger children & grandchildren.

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  11. Happy Birthday Josie!! You are a very special little girl!!

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  12. Have the Duggars ever addressed how they handled all those medical bills? Did they ever talk about having health insurance, since this was before the Affordable Care Act?

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    1. I really don't think the medical bills are any of our business. This is about Josie'so birthday.
      Happy Birthday sweet Josie.

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    2. That's not any ones business but theirs. They are the ones who need to worry about that. Not us.

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    3. Since the Duggars choose to make their lives very public, it's only natural that people would wonder about the logistics of such things for such a large family. There is nothing wrong with wondering. No one is demanding they or anyone else share the details unwillingly. They've shared so many other intimate details, it's not a stretch to wonder about this one.

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  13. Every time , I hear about sweet little house it brings tears to my eyes :) but it shows the true strength of th family

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  14. I was born exactly the same as Josie, at 25 weeks, 1lb 5oz...and I'm now turning 21! Micro-preemies can go on to have severe physical disabilities, cerebral palsy, MS as they grow up...she is a lucky girl! (as am I)

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  15. Happy Birthday Josie!! Thanks be to God for your birthday. You share a birthday with my mom. She is 95 years old. Happy Birthday Josie !!

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  16. I have heard the wissmann's music and I really enjoy it! =)

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  17. I believe the Dypggars have medical insurance p

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  18. Happy Birthday Josie and God bless you and your family.

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  19. You seem like such a sweet little girl who has been through so much in your life so far- I can relate- I was also born premature at 5 and a half months and one pound three ounces and I was in an incubator for the next three and a half months and have been epileptic since I was thirteen, have had cerebral palsy since I was born and developed a neurological brain condition called hydrocephalus( which is excessive water on the brain when I was in the second grade. I can somewhat relate to what you're going through!!!!!! I watched your show every time it came on because it was my absolute favorite and it still is- I wish that it would and could come back on again!!!!!!!!!! Sincerely, your biggest fan, Sarah Lovejoy Age 22 from Huntington, WV I am writing this on your 6th birthday-(today)- December 10th, 2015- so I really hope and pray that it's an awesome and truly special one!!!!!!!!!!!

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  20. Truly a blessed child. Happy birthday precious Josie!
    The uncertainty of her life in the beginning was an eye opening experience for me. It proved God's everlasting love for us.
    They cried out to God and prayers were answered. When Jubilee Shalom was stillborn, they still praised God and thanked Him for every moment she was in their life.
    Many people are upset that Anna, Jill and Jessa are doing a mini series. What this family, to me, is doing is allowing their life in Christ to serve as an example. No matter how things turn out, good or bad, their faith allows them to go on.
    Whether we have had a devastating death in the family or our spouse cheated on us, we can hold God's hand, dust off and go on. He's always with us and can help us deal with anything.
    This family has my love and respect. I appreciate them letting their lives, no matter what anyone thinks about them, be an example of loving and living for God.

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  21. Happy birthday josie

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  22. The Duggars published their first book seven years ago. They told so many things about themselves in that book (and the others that followed), and yet the old gossip and rumors just keep circulating. One of the things Jim Bob and Michelle shared is that they DO have medical and dental insurance. If you don't like them, and don't want to read their books or watch their show, that's fine. On the other hand, if you want to make accusations against them, you should first conduct due diligence to find out the truth.

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  23. What is the episode where Josie is born?

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  24. Addressing publicly how they handled the extreme cost of this event could have helped other families going through the same thing. The Duggars have shared how they've handled the costs of other things needed to raise 19 kids, but not this issue. Being open about it could have made people realize exactly what it costs to have a preemie these days (do you have any idea?), how much health insurance does or does not cover, and maybe even give some insight on how hospitals deal with costs in cases like this, especially if someone is not insured. It could have been enlightening. Heath care reform & insurance coverage for all - very much in the news at that time, and still a relevant issue.

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  25. I do remember her birth. I was admitted to the hospital the day after her birth with severe preeclampsia and the nurses told me about Michelle having had her baby. Thankfully, my baby boy was born healthy on December 12, 2009, at 35 weeks gestation and despite the doctors & nurses reports he never had to spend any time in the NICU. Praise God for all babies for they all are truly miracles! :)

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  26. @Anonymous

    Hi Anonymous 26,

    Josie made her TV debut on "Special Duggar Delivery," which aired January 31st, 2010.

    Here is the link to the recap that we posted on the evening of that episode: http://www.duggarfamilyblog.com/2010/01/josie-brooklyn-duggar-made-her-tv-debut.html

    Blessings,
    Lily and Ellie

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  27. In the Love That Multiplies book, Jim Bob said they have good insurance, and that after reaching their deductible, their insurance paid 100% of the hospital bills.

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