My Blog

Zachary’s Mission Gala – Croner Family Experience – it’s just a bad day, not a bad life!

When Elle was in the hospital, the staff did everything they could to make it a more effortless experience for us. When we first arrived, the PICU social worker gave us a bag of toiletries and other items that were SO helpful. And throughout our stay, Elle received little gifts and activities to do.

While there, I asked the social worker if I could donate items to help others get the same packs as we did, and she mentioned that they came through Zachary’s Mission.

I noticed they often posted their Amazon wish list of items for their packs on FaceboDuring Elle’s hospital stay, the staff went above and beyond to make our experience as effortless as possible. When we first arrived, the PICU social worker provided us with a bag of toiletries and other useful items that were incredibly helpful. Throughout our time there, Elle also received little gifts and activities to keep her engaged.

While we were at the hospital, I asked the social worker if I could donate items to help others receive similar care packages. She told me that these packs were organized through Zachary’s Mission. I noticed that they frequently posted their Amazon wish list of needed items on Facebook, so I quickly purchased a few things to contribute.

It was remarkable how much those ordinary, everyday items meant to us during such a challenging time. Zachary’s Mission truly made a positive impact on our family’s experience at Children’s Hospital.

When they asked if I would like to share our story, I enthusiastically agreed! I was thrilled about the opportunity.

The following video includes my husband’s cell phone footage of our experience at their gala. If you prefer, I’ve also provided a written version of our story below the video.

I want to mention that I shared photos of Elle during her journey at the gala, but I chose not to post them here. I find myself torn between what to share publicly and what to keep private for her sake. As a patient leader, I feel compelled to share every detail and photo with the world, but as a caregiver, I also want to respect her privacy since she cannot give consent to share those images.ok and promptly bought a few things to contribute.

It was amazing how things that could be chalked up to ‘ordinary, everyday items’ meant so much to us in our time of need. Zachary’s Mission made a mark on our family’s experience at Children’s Hospital.

When they asked me if I’d want to share our family’s experience, I emphatically said yes! I was SO excited about it.

The following is my husband’s cell phone footage of our experience from their gala, but if you’d prefer to read it, the written words follow the video.

I will note that I shared photos of Elle during her journey at the gala but did not post them here. I’m struggling with what I want to show publically for her versus what I want to keep private. Patient Leader Julie wants to share every photo and detail with the world. But as a caregiver, I also want to respect her privacy since she cannot give me consent to share them.

If you don’t want to watch the video, here is the script of what I had to say:

Good evening, everyone. My name is Julie Croner, and I’m honored to be here tonight with my husband, Josh—the love of my life.

For the past 12 years, I’ve spoken on stages across the country, sharing my health journey and advocating for a more patient-centered healthcare system. But tonight is different. Tonight, I’m here as a mom, living a mantra that has carried me through more than I ever thought I could bear: It’s just a bad day, not a bad life.

Our story begins with a sound I’ll never forget—the sound of my husband screaming my name while I was in a dead sleep. I ran downstairs, and in that instant, time froze. Our 4.5 week old baby girl, Elle, was lifeless and blue in his arms. Her tiny chest wasn’t rising. That moment shattered our world and led us to Children’s Hospital—a place where we found not only exceptional care but also an extraordinary lifeline of kindness and hope.

Elle’s Journey

In 2017, Josh and I got married and started our family. It’s been a whirlwind of deployments (Josh is retired from the Army), pandemics, and the beautiful chaos of raising kids. 

On November 11, 2023, we welcomed Elle Fike Croner into the world. With her deep brown eyes and dark hair, she brought so much joy to our family of now six.

At just a few weeks old, our joy turned to fear when Elle stopped breathing at home. She was rushed to Children’s Hospital, intubated, and admitted to the PICU for flu B and pneumonia.

We thought she might be home by Christmas, but days turned into weeks, into months. Elle faced unimaginable challenges: intubations, near moves to ECMO, multiple chest tubes for a pneumothorax, numerous blood transfusions, a pulmonary hypertension crisis, blood clot, MRSA, sepsis and more.

For 112 days, she remained in the hospital, her tiny body connected to machines that were keeping her alive.

For over 50 of those days, I couldn’t hold my baby girl. Watching her fight for every fragile breath, unable to comfort her, was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced as a mother. 

But one moment haunts me most: standing at the foot of her bed during her second intubation, watching her oxygen levels ping-pong like a cruel game of chance. I was certain we were losing her. In that heart-stopping moment, with her life hanging by a thread, I swear I heard her say to me, “I love you, Mommy.”

Meanwhile, our three other children waited at home, longing for their baby sister and for life to feel normal again.

Some days, the weight of it all felt unbearable. But then I’d whisper to myself, It’s just a bad day, not a bad life. And somehow, the light of hope would peek through.

The Power of Small Acts of Kindness

In those darkest days, it was the smallest acts of kindness that helped us believe in that light.

On that first overwhelming day, a social worker brought us a Zack Pack. That simple gesture—a bag with toiletries—was a lifeline. I’ll never forget how much that deodorant meant after such a chaotic day.

Another day, our nurse crafted a tiny bow for Elle’s head from gauze. That bow became a tradition: every day, we dressed Elle in a new accessory. It was something small but gave us a sense of normalcy and a reason to smile.

We received hundreds of hospital e-cards from around the world and lined Elle’s hospital room with them, letting the light and love of others surround her every single day she was there.

When Valentine’s Day arrived, we received a heartfelt book, a tutu, the cutest red frilly socks and a bow from Zachary’s Mission. Dressing Elle in those red socks, even while on a ventilator, brought joy to an otherwise heartbreaking February. By Easter, the rainbow tutu and bunny ears Zachary’s Mission gifted helped to lift our spirits while we tried not to dwell on spending another holiday in the hospital. 

These gestures weren’t just thoughtful—they were transformative. They reminded us that we weren’t alone, and they gave us reasons to celebrate, even in the hardest times.

The Ripple Effect of Kindness

Walking through the hospital, I saw countless families like ours—exhausted, terrified, and clinging to hope. It was in those moments I realized how powerful small acts of kindness can be. They are a light in the darkness, a lifeline that reminds families that even though they’re in the fight of their lives, it’s just a bad day, not a bad life.

When you support organizations like Zachary’s Mission, you help create that light. A Zack Pack, frilly socks, or a thoughtful holiday gift might seem small—but to families like mine, they are everything. Your kindness transforms fear into hope and darkness into moments of joy.

Gratitude and Inspiration

Today, Elle carries diagnoses that no parent wants to hear: pulmonary hypertension and a chronic lung condition called post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans. She also relies on a G-tube for nourishment.

But here’s the miracle—this month, Elle turned one. She’s no longer dependent on supplemental oxygen, and watching her breathe on her own feels nothing short of extraordinary.

Dressing her in bows remains a cherished ritual, one that her home nurses now join in, celebrating the joy and light that Elle continues to bring into our lives.

To date, Elle has spent 127 days at Children’s Hospital. Every one of those days was filled with challenges, but also brightened by the light people like you bring. You’ve shown us that even in the darkest moments, hope is stronger than fear—and that bad days don’t define our lives.

Thank you for being that light and for helping families like mine believe in better days ahead. Because of you, we know that no matter how hard the journey, it’s just a bad day, not a bad life.


I encourage you all to take a moment and to learn more about Zachary’s Mission. And if you’re able to do so, please consider donating or contributing something on their wish list. You have the opportunity to help other families who are in similar situations to ours.

Wishing You A Pain Free Day!

Julie Croner, Certified Holistic Health Coach, Yoga Instructor, Patient Empowerer, Autoimmune Warrior (Psoriatic Arthritis), Avascular Necrosis, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | itsjustabadday.com

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *