Walter's Bears Story

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Walter's Bears was created in memory of a special little baby. My son, Walter Ernest Ford Jr., aka Baby Walter.

Baby Walter was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 at 11 weeks gestation. Many babies who receive this diagnosis do not make it through the pregnancy. Trisomy 18 causes many complications and is considered to be extremely life-limiting.   

He was born at 31 and 1/2 weeks. After 15 hours of intense medical treatment and around the clock care, Baby Walter peacefully gained his wings while we held him.   

Although Baby Walter is no longer here on earth, his heartbeat is. At a 13-week ultrasound appointment, I learned that I could have his heartbeat recorded. I feel so very blessed that I still have his heartbeat with me.  

In his memory I want to educate other mothers-to-be, to record their unborn baby's heartbeat. Every heartbeat is a Miracle and every pregnancy is unique. After searching the web for what types of keepsakes were available for recording a baby's heartbeat, I couldn't find anything that was special enough. I was looking for that perfect bear that I would really enjoy and appreciate for years to come. I decided to design a classic looking jointed teddy bear that was also super soft. I looked throughout the US for a manufacturer but could not find one. I decided to work with a factory in China that supplies some of the top stuffed plush brands in the US. 

Shortly after the first bears arrived, I began creating recordable bears, and realized that the hidden pocket in the back of the bear also turned out to be the perfect place to add a weight and/or an urn to the bear. Upon researching the time frame that others were taking to send a weighted bear to a family suffering the loss of an infant, I knew I could do better. I strive to ship the weighted bears within 1-2 business days. 

The little corduroy heart pillows were also designed by me and manufactured in the same factory. Each pillow and bear has a small golden heart-shaped rivet on the right side with the stamp "No 18". The 18 represents Trisomy 18 and is in memory of all the little ones who are & were affected by T18.    

Walter's Bears is Baby Walter's Legacy.   

Though his life on earth was short his purpose was not. His memory will continue to bring Peace and Comfort to those who have lost loved ones and allow others to create lifelong memories through recordable keepsakes and weighted teddy bears.  

Thank you for reading our story.