Latest news with #Spearing
Newsweek
14 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Mom Captures Moment With Toddler, Just Days Later She'll Be Gone
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A mom from Ontario, Canada, captured a moment with her toddler, not knowing it would be one of the last memories together. Tamara Spearing, 31, posted a reel on Instagram holding and kissing her daughter. Days later, Gwendolyn was gone. Spearing told Newsweek that she was pregnant with Gwendolyn at 26. She had just bought her first home and was working two jobs. From left: Tamara Spearing holds her toddler daughter in her arms and kisses her head in dark lighting. From left: Tamara Spearing holds her toddler daughter in her arms and kisses her head in dark lighting. @tamaraspearing_ Spearing's days were full—friends, family, healthy living and big dreams. "I had full trust in the universe and what life was going to look like for me," she said. "That was until my life drastically changed within a matter of days." Gwendolyn was what Spearing called her "pleasant surprise." While her pregnancy was unplanned, she said she quickly embraced it. "I remember daydreaming what my child would look like; who they would grow up to be," Spearing said. "For me, my pregnancy was just the beginning of something amazing, and I was so, so excited to be a mama." At 28 weeks and five days, Spearing went into premature labor—a terrifying experience that unfolded while she was visiting Gwendolyn's father, who had recently been admitted to the ICU after a serious accident. "I didn't want to believe it as I was hardly into my third trimester," she added. Spearing walked herself to the labor and delivery floor, where she was met by a team of specialists. "I faintly remember looking over to the bedside nurse, asking her what I should expect and begging and pleading for a safe arrival of my baby," Spearing said. "I told the nurse, 'That wasn't my birth plan. I don't even have a nursery at home.' "She looked at me and said, 'Hunny, there is no such thing as a birth plan'," Spearing said. Within two hours and just three pushes, Gwendolyn was born at 2 pounds, 10 ounces. What followed were months of medical hurdles. Gwendolyn was diagnosed with Esophageal Atresia with Tracheoesophageal Fistula (EA/TEF)—a rare congenital condition where the esophagus doesn't connect to the stomach. Gwendolyn's prematurity brought additional complications: brain bleeds, underdeveloped lungs, multiple surgeries, code blues (where a patient requires resuscitation or is in need of immediate medical attention) and long hospital stays. Overall, Gwendolyn spent 170 days in hospital before being cleared to go home. Against the odds, she was thriving and hitting every milestone, according to her mom. "Appointments were further and farther between; she was attending playgroups and making friends; she was learning and discovering as a child should be at her age," Spearing said. "For the first time in her life, she was able to be just a kid." Then, on April 5, their world came crashing down. "For us, it was a normal day," Spearing added. "Little did I know this day would change my life forever." That evening, Gwendolyn's heart stopped. The autopsy provided no definitive cause. Some specialists suspect a catastrophic seizure or undetected heart failure. Spearing explored genetic counseling in the aftermath but was overwhelmed by the lack of answers. "I may never know why my daughter passed, and although I know now sometimes things just aren't meant to have an explanation, I still lay awake at nights contemplating the days leading up to her death and wondering if there was something I missed and if there was something apparent; maybe I could have saved her," Spearing said. Now, three years later, grief remains a constant companion. Spearing said that she barely remembers anything after Gwendolyn passed. "I was very angry. I lost trust in the universe and I questioned my beliefs," she added. "I wanted nothing more than to wake up from this nightmare that I was living in. I couldn't understand why a beautiful, innocent soul, who fought so hard to be here, only to be taken so abruptly." Out of her grief, Spearing created The Gwen Effect, a foundation honoring her daughter's legacy. It supports premature infants and children with complex medical conditions, funds research, and offers community support for grieving families. "I found a way of turning my pain into a purpose," Spearing said. "I continue to speak on grief and life after loss as I truly believe it is something that needs to be talked about more." The foundation's mission is clear: raise awareness, provide resources and create spaces where both grief and hope can coexist. Through it, Gwendolyn continues to touch lives. "Gwen was a ray of sunshine," Spearing said. "She was born tiny but mighty. Her passion for life while in and out of hospital showed us and many others how precious our time is. She was strong and brave."
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steven Gerrard fumes at Liverpool teammate during charity match as icon can't hide anger
Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard failed to hide his frustrations with Jay Spearing as he fumed at his ex-teammate during a legends charity match. The former Reds skipper was desperate to open his account on just ten minutes into the first half of the exhibition game versus Chelsea. Rolling back the years with lung-busting charge into the opposition box, the Kop hero looked to get on the end of a cross from Dirk Kuyt. Spearing had found the former Netherlands stalwart on the right-wing after Gerrard had held up the ball on the half-way line. However, the Blues cleared the ball away from danger following Kuyt's searching lofted pass as the Reds academy coach failed to join the attack. READ MORE: Peter Crouch gives honest Arne Slot verdict after PSG and Newcastle defeats READ MORE: How to watch Liverpool Legends vs Chelsea for free as Steven Gerrard returns for charity game After this, Chelsea regained possession, with Spearing's efforts clearly having left Gerrard irked as the latter threw his arms up in the air in frustration as the attack broke down. The burst of anger from the ex-Aston Villa and Rangers manager left commentators Peter McDowall and Phil Thompson amused. McDowall referred to Gerrard's outburst during the coverage, as he referred to the Reds legend giving Spearing what he called a "right talking too". This inspired chuckles from European Cup winner and former Liverpool assistant manager Thompson - who saw the funny side of the episode. Gerrard was joined by former teammates including Peter Crouch, Sami Hyypia and Jerzy Dudek at Anfield in a game which was arranged to raise funds for the LFC Foundation. While those stars graced the Anfield turf once more, Sir Kenny Dalglish took charge of the Reds, alongside assistants Ian Rush, John Aldridge and John Barnes. On the opposing side, legends including Claude Makelele, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Gianfranco Zola made the trip to Merseyside to take part. Prior to kick-off, ex Reds striker Crouch spoke of his excitement of returning to Anfield, as well as training at the new AXA Training Centre. He also discussed the form of the current crop of Liverpool stars, as he gave his verdict on Arne Slot's first season in the managerial hotseat. As the Reds close in on a second Premier League title in five years, Crouch said: "Yeah I think it's been an unbelievably successful season. One week of football doesn't determine [anything]. 'I think obviously it's not been a great week after Paris Saint-Germain. I think over the course of the two legs even the staunchest Liverpool fan would say they probably deserved it. "I was at the Carabao Cup final and again it was just it wasn't the Liverpool we've seen this season, but I mean, if you go back to the start of the season and said you'd have a lead like this and you'd be out you have the competitions, every Liverpool fan will have bit your arm off. 'That's where they are now I think we need to take stock of that. After Jurgen left, the fact that Arne Slot has come in and done what he has done has just been a revelation. Everyone just needs to be a bit calm about it and look at it in the positive way it should be.'
