Erica and Antoine Shoemate's daughter, Nia, was born with Ellis-van Creveld syndrome (EVC), a rare genetic disorder that affects bone growth. Although she was born full-term at 37 weeks and 4 days, Nia had to spend 118 days in two different neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and had to undergo heart surgery before she was able to go home. Birth differences, also known as congenital anomalies or birth defects, include health conditions that a baby is born with. Each January we recognize Natio