Born Extra

Hey, I’m Laurin! 

What I want you to know most about me is that I am a MOTHER, but I am also a wife, a caring friend, a passionate advocate for the medically fragile and the Down syndrome community, a fierce representative for change surrounding a genetic difference diagnosis within hospital systems, and a professional photographer. Those are my superpowers. I juggle many hats and nearly all of them surround this medical momma journey. 

Since welcoming our son Elijah, who has Trisomy21 I have advocated fiercely for the medically complex/disabled and neurodivergent communities. So much so that I have shifted my photography business to solely specializing in medically complex/disabled and neurodivergent portraiture. In my business I only work with families and clients who look like my own family. I have over 15 years of experience behind the camera. 

I’ve made it my personal mission to help as many new moms just receiving a genetic difference diagnosis as possible. I hold the chair as New/Expectant Parent & Medical Outreach Coordinator for our local Down syndrome association. I’m a Regional Lead Parent for Jack’s baskets, so I not only hand deliver baskets to new families receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis but I’m also in front of medical professionals every single week working to shift the diagnosis delivery from “I’m sorry” or “I have bad news” to “Congratulations!”. I am a certified NICU photographer for our local hospital systems and a NILMDTS volunteer. I have undergone countless hours of training through Lettercase to be a medical outreach specialist for multiple genetic differences, not just Down syndrome. I am also a certified bereavement and grief support person working towards a full degree in patient advocacy. Along with my husband, I run Elijah’s social impact project, Elijah’s Pantry, where we deliver Bags of Strength to hospitalized families twice a year and cook a meal at local Ronald McDonald Houses monthly. 

I wear a lot of advocacy hats but I also believe there is always more to be done! Our medically complex and disabled children deserve so much more than any one person can give. I am merely a face amongst a crowd of countless others who advocate for their worth and rights just as hard! 

I am very proud to add Director of Born Extra to my list of advocacy hats! I am so excited to continue shouting our children’s worth no matter the duration of their lives. These children are Born Worthy! These children are Born Mighty! But most of all these children are Born Abel! 

Through Born Extra I hope to continue to celebrate these children born different. These children who face such large mountains of adversity. I hope that the addition of my voice and experience continues to spread our foundations message that no matter the limitations their diagnosis labels them with or the duration of their lives, these children are born WORTHY and ABEL!