Featured CDH International’s Virginia Ambassador is Clarissa Staggs. Clarissa is the mom to CDH angel Elizabeth.
In 2009, Clarissa’s daughter, Elizabeth Kelly, was diagnosed with CDH at her 20 week ultrasound. That was the first time they had ever heard about CDH, and they still wish they never did. Unfortunately, their angel had some complications and passed away after 21 days in the PICU. It was a difficult time for them all, but eventually, while they have never forgotten her, they healed as much as they could.
Clarissa has lived in quite a few places throughout her life but now calls Virginia home with her husband, 2 kids, 1 dog, and 3 fish. She teaches science at an independent high school and loves what she does. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering when she can, reading, traveling, arts and crafts, game time with the family, and might admit to being a bit of a TV and movie junkie. Her family loves Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Disney. They enjoy biking and beaches and sometimes hiking (so long as it isn’t too steep, according to her daughter). Clarissa truly believes we can all survive difficult things if we give ourselves and each other a little support and a lot of grace.
