baylie’s story
Brilliant and beautiful, Baylie was a shining star, an exceptional daughter, a devoted sister, and the very best friend you could ever have.
Baylie was only nineteen years old when she succumbed to her catastrophic injuries. The tragedy occurred during Baylie’s sophomore year at the University of Miami. Baylie had enjoyed the afternoon with some friends at a pool party. Later that evening, she joined her sorority sisters.
Baylie was often the designated driver. Nicknamed “the mother hen,” she was very responsible. That summer, Baylie focused on her GPA and earning money for school. She worked hard to switch her from microbiology to neuroscience, taking eight extra credits at UNH, while working as a lifeguard and waitress on the weekends.
That Saturday evening, Baylie let her guard down. She had been separated from her sorority sisters and found herself at a crossroads. Before long, her life was in danger without her realizing it. Ready to call it a night, she shared an Uber ride back to campus with some “nice” guys who claimed to be medical students. They were not.
Baylie quickly realized it was all a lie. The men who had asked her to cancel her Uber and join them in theirs had no intention of taking her to the dorm. They took her on a five-mile loop away from the college and offered her water.
Baylie suspected something was in the water, so she began texting her roommate. She mentioned “sketchy guys” who wouldn’t share their real names. She spilled her water, which upset the Uber driver, who stopped the car. By 3 a.m., she displayed signs of further impairment, and her friends became worried. Unable to figure out how to use her phone app, she asked for help. “Come get me.” She said
The sorority girls were three miles away. No one knew how to help. They couldn’t know the danger that lay ahead. At eighteen, they were unequipped. They had no resources, no ride to call on Baylie’s behalf, and no adult to help. There was no mom to tell her to stay put, no amnesty to avoid getting in trouble. They didn’t know the danger.
Baylie spent the following six weeks in the ICU, where we learned lessons about the healthcare system and the law that we didn’t anticipate.
Despite the pain, I am incredibly blessed to be Baylie’s mother. In this lifetime, and the next.
baylie’s wish mission
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Our mission is dedicated to preventing legal challenges for families facing medical dilemmas and finding safe solutions for preventable tragedies, that occur year after year, at colleges and universities.
BAYLIE
Limited print, hardcover, signed AUTHOR’s EDITION is now available for ORDER
Baylie’s Book
The remarkable account of a mother’s agonizing journey, a daughter’s fight for life, and the eventual understanding of what it would mean, to survive. A love story, a memoir, a biography, a mystery, and a spiritual journey that questions everything.
Beyond the horrible tragedy, and quest for justice, there were endless, unforeseen roadblocks. From the initial call, where details could not be shared, to the request to obtain evidence for prosecution. As a mother, I lost all control. The hospital became the decision-makers. We could not advocate for Baylie, request procedures, or make decisions on her behalf, our hands were tied.
Without a healthcare proxy, our fight against the legal system was challenging, but we persevered. Faced with the most difficult decision of our lives, we found guidance most unexpectedly. Unbelievable coincidences illuminated the path for us, and a secret was revealed.
The journey is an unbelievably heartbreaking true story, with raw emotion, that reads like a fiction novel. The narrative questions the mystery behind consciousness, and the secret very few experience. Provides a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between parent and child. The process of complicated grief, ultimate courage, and incredible resilience. In the depths of despair, Baylie found a way to communicate, and against all odds, the most beautiful, unimaginable, miracle was revealed.
It takes a village to make a change, and together, we will be the change Baylie wished for.
Donate to Baylie’s Wish Foundation
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Baylie’s Wish Foundation
The foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to changing policies and improving the lives of young people.
US Colleges are a 900 billion dollar-a-year unregulated industry. The leading cause of death on campus is from accidental injury.
Step one: to create a culture where healthcare proxies are a part of the college admission process. Baylie’s Law would ensure that every college ensure that it is complete.
Step two: to prevent another life from being lost by providing safe options for students after hours, late at night, and on the weekend. A volunteer, available by text. The Keep Me Safe campaign would not only educate, but offer solutions for colleges to change their policies.
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