A seemingly innocuous incident took a dramatic turn when a toddler accidentally dropped her baby sister, leading to a life-saving medical diagnosis. On September 20, 2024, Jewel, 27, from Colorado, rushed her four-month-old daughter, Hazel, to the emergency room after her elder daughter, Harper, accidentally let go of her while trying to lift her.
Jewel described the moment as chaotic, recalling that she was just a short distance away when the incident occurred. “Harper was kneeling next to Hazel and attempted to pick her up to put her in her lap. Before I could stop her, Harper got her approximately 12 inches off the ground then lost her grip,” Jewel said. Although Hazel appeared unharmed, the family decided to seek medical attention to be cautious.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Harper, now four years old, was visibly upset and kept apologizing to her baby sister. After conducting an MRI scan and a full-body X-ray, doctors initially found no signs of injury. However, just before Hazel was set to be discharged, a nurse noticed concerning vital signs. Hazel’s oxygen levels were “dangerously low,” prompting immediate further examination.
“I was confused because the nurse excused the low oxygen as a faulty monitor reading. But after triple checking with different monitors, it was confirmed, and I was extremely anxious and worried,” Jewel explained. The family was quickly directed to the pediatric intensive care unit, where Hazel remained for a week, followed by multiple hospital visits over the next eight months as her health fluctuated.
Initially, doctors suspected childhood interstitial lung disease, but the true cause of Hazel’s issues remained elusive. It wasn’t until March 2025, after a detailed brain MRI, that they discovered she had suffered a stroke while in utero. “I was dumbfounded and angry. I had a lot of issues during the pregnancy, but none of my scans or wellness checks showed issues with Hazel,” Jewel stated.
As a consequence of the stroke, Hazel is expected to face numerous challenges as she grows. However, Jewel remains optimistic that early diagnosis will help minimize potential setbacks. Reflecting on the incident, she now views it as a “loving accident” that may have ultimately saved Hazel’s life. Doctors informed the family that without the hospital visit that night, they “would have lost Hazel” shortly after.
Jewel has begun documenting Hazel’s journey on social media under the account @hazelsheroeshomebase. Initially intended to build a supportive community, the account has evolved into a platform for raising awareness and inspiring others with Hazel’s resilience. One TikTok post detailing the events of September 2024 has garnered over 3.3 million views and more than 130,100 likes.
“Harper still calls Hazel ‘her baby,’ and they have a fun, loving relationship filled with lots of laughter, snuggles, and silliness,” Jewel shared. The family, along with nearly 100,000 followers online, has embraced the term “Hazel’s Heroes,” recognizing the support that has helped them navigate this challenging journey.
Jewel encourages others to share their health concerns, inviting them to reach out via [email protected] for expert advice and potential feature opportunities.
