A simple accident involving a toddler revealed life-threatening health issues for her baby sister, ultimately leading to a diagnosis that may have saved her life. On **September 20, 2024**, in Colorado, **Jewel**, 27, was preoccupied with household chores when her 4-month-old daughter, **Hazel**, was accidentally dropped by her older sister, **Harper**.
As Jewel recounted, “Hazel was lying on her floor mat when I went to grab laundry out of the dryer.” Harper, attempting to lift her sister into her lap, lost her grip and dropped Hazel from a height of about **12 inches**. Concerned for Hazel’s well-being, Jewel and her husband decided to take her to the hospital, despite an initial assessment showing no visible injuries.
Once at the hospital, Hazel underwent an MRI and a full-body X-ray, both of which appeared clear. Just before discharge, however, a nurse identified dangerously low oxygen levels, prompting further investigation. Jewel expressed her anxiety during this time: “I was confused because, at first, the nurse excused the low oxygen as a faulty monitor reading.”
Hazel was quickly moved to the pediatric intensive care unit, where she spent a week recovering. Unfortunately, her health issues continued, resulting in multiple hospital visits over the next eight months. Each time Hazel caught a cold, it escalated into pneumonia, confounding her medical team.
Initially, doctors suspected **childhood interstitial lung disease** but did not identify the root cause until **March 2025**. A detailed brain MRI revealed that Hazel had suffered a stroke while in utero, leading to several debilitating conditions. Jewel felt a mix of disbelief and frustration: “I had a lot of issues during the pregnancy, but none of my scans or wellness checks showed issues with Hazel.”
The early diagnosis enabled her healthcare team to implement proactive measures, which Jewel hopes will minimize Hazel’s challenges as she grows. Reflecting on the accidental drop, Jewel describes it as a “loving accident” that ultimately proved critical for Hazel’s health. Doctors informed the family that, had they not gone to the hospital that night, they “would have lost Hazel” shortly after.
Jewel has taken to social media to document Hazel’s journey, creating a platform to raise awareness and build community support. Her TikTok account, under the handle **@hazelsheroeshomebase**, has garnered significant attention, with one post about the events of September 2024 reaching over **3.3 million views** and more than **130,100 likes**.
In her posts, Jewel emphasizes the importance of that fateful night in the ER: “If it wasn’t for that fateful night at the ER, we would have lost her.” Harper, now affectionately referring to Hazel as “her baby,” shares a joyful bond filled with laughter and affection. Jewel added, “Our community has adopted the phrase **Hazel’s Heroes**, as their presence keeps me at home while she heals.”
As Hazel continues to progress, her story serves as a reminder of the unexpected ways in which life can change. Jewel’s experience underscores the importance of vigilance in health matters, especially for young children.
