Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a mother who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a woman and a mother. Above all, the Mom of the Month is dedicated to her children. Rich or poor, famous or not, she shines as an example of what mothering is all about.

Our choice for January is Connie Ogden, mother of four and grandmother.

Connie Ogden had raised her four children and was beginning to enjoy life as a grandmother when her youngest son, Ryan, moved back home with his wife, Shannon. A few short months later Shannon gave birth to Kayci. Two weeks later tragedy shook the Ogden household -- Shannon died unexpectedly in the middle of the night. Ryan was only 18 and so sick with grief he needed help raising the baby. Connie cut back her schedule as an R.N. and took over as primary caregiver for her tiny granddaughter. With that commitment came huge sacrifices and tremendous blessings.

Baby Kayci needed extra attention from her grandma from the beginning. She had reflux and was colicky. Connie’s experience with her own babies helped make the situation much easier. "I propped her up for 45 minutes after each meal and packed her around the rest of the time." But, when Kayci was 14 months old she began having seizures. Connie remembers well, "She would turn white and her eyes would roll back in her head." Her pediatrician was baffled by her symptoms and told Connie to keep a close watch on her. But, he insisted there was nothing he could do.

By 22 months Kayci’s seizure activity had increased and Connie knew something was wrong with her granddaughter. Although the pediatrician claimed her symptoms weren’t alarming, Connie insisted on thorough testing of Kayci’s heart. "The doctors treated me like I was an overprotective parent, but I arranged for the tests anyway."

Her perseverance paid off. The tests revealed Kayci had Long QT Syndrome, a fatal heart condition. The physicians explained that the QT is what is measured on an EKG. For Long QT patients the distance between the Q wave and the T wave is abnormally long. Stress, fear or physical exertion can lead to a long QT episode that deprives the brain of blood.

Medications were immediately prescribed to regulate Kayci’s heart. If Connie hadn’t been so persistent, Kayci could have died. According to Connie, "The best money you can spend is to take a child to the doctor and hear ‘Nothing is wrong. You are just being a good mother.’ That is better than hearing ‘Why didn’t you bring this child in sooner?’"

Connie contacted national experts on Long QT and learned its victims often die suddenly just as Shannon had. The mystery of Shannon’s death began to unwind as several of her relatives tested positive with the syndrome. Thankfully, Kayci’s condition, although extreme, was detected at an early age and she and her relatives were able to receive the medical attention they desperately needed. Connie’s efforts had saved more than one life.

Long QT Syndrome is also known as Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS). Because its symptoms are so vague it has been called the silent killer. Connie and her husband, Darrell, wanted to save more children and became very active in the SADS Foundation. They volunteered their time, went to meetings and called families all over the country that had an unexplained death in the family. The information they shared about SADS saved countless lives.

Since the day Connie committed to raise Kayci, she has made many sacrifices. When the nature of Kayci’s health problems was finally understood, Connie retired as a nurse in order to devote her time to Kayci. She kept the house calm and quiet so that nothing would startle Kayci and trigger a Long QT episode. She faithfully administered her medications and kept her grandchild from overexerting herself. Connie is grateful she was able to stay home with Kayci. "That little girl went through cardiac arrest at age 3 and had a hypoglycemic coma at age 4. Thank goodness I was there with her."

When Kayci started Kindergarten, Connie was so nervous for her to be away, she volunteered at Kayci’s school. It was a great way for her to spread the word about Kayci’s condition and watch her granddaughter learn. Connie smiles as she talks about it, "I loved being with those little kids and I think Kayci really liked having me around."

Her involvement with the school increased over the years. She helped the school nurse create a program that provided information to all the kids in the elementary with chronic illnesses. The nurse in turn had all teachers certify in CPR so they would be ready if a student needed medical attention.

Connie’s efforts expanded. She volunteered on the emergency and safety program for the PTA making sure there was paperwork in place for all kids in case of a disaster. She went on to chair the safety committee that was responsible for putting in sidewalks and widening the streets leading to the elementary school. All this volunteered time has given her peace of mind and more. For two years in a row Kayci’s school chose Connie as Volunteer of the Year.

Connie enjoys volunteering so much she has kept up with it throughout Kayci’s schooling. Kayci is in junior high now, but Connie can often be found at her school working behind the scenes. She and Darrell also gave a video presentation on Long QT Syndrome to the faculty. They gave each teacher a folder with Kayci’s photo and story so they would know how to help her in an emergency.

The Ogdens continue to donate their time and resources to the study of Long QT and do everything they can to make Kayci’s life as lengthy and healthy as possible. Kayci received a pacemaker this year and continues to take medication, but her condition is serious. According to Connie the threat of losing Kayci to Long QT is real. "She is not out of the woods even with a pacemaker. Let’s say she was in an auto accident and broke her leg. The pain alone could cause her to have a Long QT episode or even cardiac arrest."

Knowing her granddaughter’s future is uncertain has helped Connie treasure each day she has with her family. "I really enjoy the time I have with Kayci. Darrell and I spend a lot of playful time with her and feel grateful for all the days we’ve had with her."

Connie sees her role as a mother differently than she once did. "When I was raising my kids I was so focused on taking care of them I forgot to enjoy them. Now that I have raised my granddaughter, I realize how fast childhood goes by. I take a lot more time to play with my grandkids and really appreciate them as small children."

Thirteen years ago when she took on the task of raising her granddaughter, Connie had no idea she would learn so much. Through nurturing and protecting Kayci she rediscovered what was really important in life -- family! Connie Ogden will always keep her children and grandchildren as the highest priorities in her life. Connie reminds parents, "Relationships come from spending time with the people you love. Play with your children, enjoy them -- they’re only little for a short time."