At just one year old, twin sisters Delilah and Caroline were admitted to hospital. They had been abused, diagnosed with non-accidental trauma and suffering from malnourishment.
Jess Hamm was working as a nurse at the hospital when she first met Delilah in the paediatric intensive care unit.
“My heart was broken. I don’t want to cry. She was just so lifeless, but she still held onto my finger,” Hamm told local media.
"She was just so lifeless – but she still held onto my finger." The decision a nurse made that changed the lives of two toddlers forever - Today at 5 p.m. on CBS47 pic.twitter.com/Jy83h6CAbN
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) 28 February 2018
Little Delilah had broken bones, a skull fracture and was too weak to even sit up or feed herself. Hamm decided that she couldn't leave her alone.
“I was like ‘oh my gosh, I’m going to take her home,’” Hamm said.
Hamm began the adoption process and discovered that Delilah's twin, Caroline, was also in hospital. She adopted them both.
Through Hamm's constant love, care and encouragement, the twins are now thriving and meeting their developmental goals.
“They’ve been through so much, and they’re completely different kids,” she revealed with pride. “If you had met them when I met them, you would be amazed.”
Always wanted ot be a mother, Hamm had never considered adoption before meeting the girls.
“I hope when people hear my story it opens them up to the possibilities of adopting."
