Zion Isaiah Blick

Our Son Zion

Robyn and Joshua's son Zion was diagnosed with Trisomy 13 and lived for 10 days after birth.

"My sweet precious Zion, you are my gift, Every breath you took was a moment to inhale the perfection of God's beauty. Every beat of your heart was a measure of love."

When Josh and Robbyn Blick learned that their son would be born with a fatal genetic abnormality, they were excited about the days they would get to spend with him - even if there weren't many.

So when little Zion Isaiah was born on January 11 - weighing just 4 pounds and 7 ounces - they were [overjoyed] to welcome him - and overjoyed when he fought to live for ten days.The couple, along with their four other young sons, documented the ten precious days they got to spend with baby Zion at their home in Lake Zurich, Illinois before he passed away on January 21.

Through beautiful photos posted to Instagram and a Vimeo video, they shared tender moments from his birth in hospital through to his one-week birthday celebration, surrounded by his brothers.

Zion was diagnosed in the womb with Trisomy 13. He lived for 10 days after birth

The little chap with one of his four big brothers. The parents were amazed how tiny their little boy was.

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Zion was diagnosed in the womb with Trisomy 13. He lived for 10 days after birth

The family knew that Zion would be born with a fatal condition, but wanted to give him the chance to fight.

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The couple told The Blaze that the family first learned that Zion had Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome, about 20 weeks into Robbyn's pregnancy.

The genetic condition creates abnormalities in parts of the body, and the rate of survival is low due to heart abnormalities, kidney malformations and other internal organ disorders.

Some children with the abnormality are born with webbed feet, malformed ears, a small jaw or a small head, among other characteristics, and survival beyond the neonatal period is rare.

Zion was diagnosed in the womb with Trisomy 13. He lived for 10 days after birth

They couldn't believe how tiny he was

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The Blicks discovered that Zion had a heart defect - but there was never any doubt that they were going to have their son.

'Our choice is always life and giving him a chance,' Robbyn told The Blaze. She shared their progress online before Zion's birth - uploading pictures of her beaming alongside friends at her baby shower, where little signs read: 'We love you Zion!'

Then their 'miracle' happened - when Zion was born on January 11.

Zion was diagnosed in the womb with Trisomy 13. He lived for 10 days after birth

"We love you Zion"

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"You listened when you heard your daddy's voice, and you turned your eyes his way. I kissed your face a million times, and I wish I could give you a million more."

Zion was diagnosed in the womb with Trisomy 13. He lived for 10 days after birth

Mum posted this pic of Zi and his dad, saying 'Twins'.

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Zion was diagnosed in the womb with Trisomy 13. He lived for 10 days after birth

Mum says hi!

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Zion was diagnosed in the womb with Trisomy 13. He lived for 10 days after birth

Family time: this little chap was one of four little brothers

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Zion was diagnosed in the womb with Trisomy 13. He lived for 10 days after birth

Zion comes home!

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Zion was diagnosed in the womb with Trisomy 13. He lived for 10 days after birth

Daddy time!

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Zion was diagnosed in the womb with Trisomy 13. He lived for 10 days after birth

Zi's four brothers decorated his tiny coffin with their handprints as they said goodbye. Mum Robbyn said baby Zi taught the family so much about love and God.

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Zion was diagnosed in the womb with Trisomy 13. He lived for 10 days after birth

Goodbye little Zion

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"We love you Zion, our little miracle."

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TRISOMY 13 or PATAU'S SYNDROME arises because of the presence of an extra chromosome. There is a significant risk of miscarriage but research has also found that children with Trisomy 13 or live on average for 7 days after birth, while almost 31% live for more than a month, and almost one in 10 live for more than a year.

Rasmussen SA1, Wong LY, Yang Q, May KM, Friedman. Pediatrics. Population-based analyses of mortality in trisomy 13 and trisomy 18. 2003 Apr;111(4 Pt 1):777-84.JM. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12671111