The Hight family

Sam and Simone Hight lost their baby boy, Gideon, 26 weeks into the pregnancy. They and their six other children were able to hold him and say goodbye after his lifeless body was delivered by Simone.

It has been a hard road for the Hight family, with a diagnosis for their baby of Trisomy 18. The accompanying physical abnormalities meant he was statistically unlikely to survive to birth, yet Sam and Simone chose to uphold their belief that this little life was made in God’s image and needed to be preserved as long as possible.

This meant lots of time off work for Sam, and several trips to specialists in Auckland. There was also the need to continue throughout with the deep, deep sadness of grieving a loss before it came to pass, and while others were unable to comprehend the loss since they had never laid eyes on Gideon.

They hoped against hope for a miracle, but it was not to be. Gideon died on Friday 19th May and was born Saturday 20th May. His funeral was on Thursday 24th May.