Meet Our Mighty Bee: Kyan

At Bee Mighty, every child we serve has a story of strength, resilience, and love. Today, we’re honored to share the journey of our latest Mighty Bee, Kyan, as told by his mother, Crystal.

A Challenging Beginning

Crystal’s pregnancy with Kyan and his twin sister took an unexpected turn during her second trimester when she was diagnosed with cervical insufficiency. Placed on strict bed rest, she did everything she could to protect her babies.

As the pregnancy progressed into the third trimester, complications escalated quickly. Crystal developed preeclampsia and dangerously high blood pressure. On June 23, doctors made the difficult decision that it was no longer safe to continue the pregnancy. The next morning, Kyan and his sister were delivered via emergency C-section.

Until that moment, Crystal didn’t know her babies would need to stay in the NICU.

Love at First Sight

Kyan entered the world weighing 5 pounds, 4 ounces and measuring about 18 inches long. Although Crystal couldn’t hold him right away, she remembers the moment she first saw him clearly. “When the doctors lifted him up, everything else faded. There he was—my first baby, crying, beautiful, and all mine. My son.”

A Powerful First Hold

Like many NICU parents, Crystal had to wait before holding her baby. The following day, she went to see Kyan, who was crying. Remembering what she had learned about kangaroo care, she gently placed him on her chest. “Almost immediately, he became calm—like we were two puzzle pieces finding our way back to each other.”

That moment marked the beginning of a deep and powerful bond.

Life in the NICU

Kyan and his sister spent one week and three days in the NICU. During that time, Crystal poured herself into supporting their growth and healing.

She pumped constantly, determined to provide breastmilk and give her babies every possible advantage. While each day brought progress, it was also filled with emotional challenges. “They were getting stronger, and I was recovering too, but it felt like the day I could take them home still hadn’t come.”

Each night, she had to leave them behind—one of the hardest parts of the journey.

Recognizing the Need for Support

By the time Kyan was 2 years old, Crystal knew he would benefit from additional therapies. She trusted her instincts and sought help. ACT Therapy became a turning point. “From the very beginning, I felt truly heard, and his therapist has been nothing short of amazing. The entire staff has supported us in ways I’ll always be grateful for.”

Strength Through Faith and Perseverance

Through every challenge, Crystal leaned on faith. And along the way, Kyan himself offered a perspective that perfectly captures their journey: “Life is not always perfect. Bad things happen, but you just gotta keep trying.”

Finding Bee Mighty

Like many families, Crystal faced financial stress while trying to ensure Kyan could continue receiving therapy. After being given a list of grants, she applied to as many as possible.

Kyan was awarded a grant through Bee Mighty that covered his therapy.

“It was a huge relief and a reminder that everything was going to work out.”

Kyan Today

Today, Kyan is thriving. His growth has been incredible—his social skills, spatial awareness, and overall development have all improved. He is a bright, sunny, and intelligent Mighty Bee.

A Message to Other Families

Crystal shares this advice for other parents navigating similar journeys:

“Keep fighting. If one place dismisses your concerns, don’t stop. Keep advocating until someone truly listens. Trust yourself, trust what you feel, and lean on prayer. Keep going.”

Kyan’s story is a beautiful reminder of the power of persistence, love, and community. We are so proud to have him as part of the Bee Mighty family.