{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Kayla Loses Ashley To Choking ","description":"In this deeply emotional episode of The Surviving Siblings Podcast, host Maya Roffler welcomes Kayla, a bereaved sibling who lost her baby sister, Ashley, in a tragic and unexpected medical event in 2006. At just eleven years old, Kayla\u2019s world changed forever when her one-and-a-half-year-old sister suddenly stopped breathing\u2014an event that would later be revealed as a preventable tragedy. Kayla opens up about the deep bond she shared with Ashley, the impact of her sister\u2019s passing on their entire family, and how grief shaped her childhood, teenage years, and adulthood. She shares the devastating realization that Ashley\u2019s death was caused by a misdiagnosed medical condition and how the hospital\u2019s oversight led to a prolonged struggle for answers and justice. This episode explores the complexities of grieving at a young age, how Kayla\u2019s family navigated immense loss, and the lifelong journey of healing. Kayla also discusses the anxiety and trauma that followed, the lasting effects of sibling loss, and how she has found strength in sharing her story for the first time. If you\u2019ve ever experienced loss at a young age or struggled to process grief over the years, Kayla\u2019s story will remind you that healing is possible, and you are not alone. In This Episode: (00:01:09) \u2013 The Role of a Big Sister Kayla reflects on growing up as the oldest sibling and the deep love she had for her younger sisters, Mia and Ashley. (00:02:41) \u2013 When Ashley Got Sick Kayla recalls the months leading up to Ashley\u2019s passing, the concerning symptoms, and the repeated hospital visits where doctors misdiagnosed her condition. (00:06:20) \u2013 The Day That Changed Everything Kayla describes the morning she learned about Ashley\u2019s passing and the shock of hearing the news from her father and stepmother. (00:12:00) \u2013 Attending School the Next Day Despite the tragedy, Kayla insisted on going to school, determined to maintain her perfect attendance and a sense of normalcy in the chaos of grief. (00:15:22) \u2013 Ashley\u2019s Funeral Kayla shares the surreal experience of attending her sister\u2019s funeral, seeing Ashley one last time, and the heartbreaking traditions her family developed to honor her memory. (00:18:00) \u2013 The Truth Behind Ashley\u2019s Passing Weeks later, the autopsy revealed that Ashley had been choking on a peanut for months\u2014something doctors had missed in her chest x-ray.  (00:22:30) \u2013 The Aftermath: Lawsuits & Family Divides Kayla details how the misdiagnosis led to legal action against the hospital, the ripple effects it had on her family, and how relationships were fractured as blame and guilt took over. (00:35:00) \u2013 The Long-Term Impact of Grief Kayla discusses how losing Ashley at such a young age led to severe anxiety, control issues, and the fear of losing loved ones, as well as how therapy and medication have helped her manage these struggles. (00:47:00) \u2013 Healing & Moving Forward Years later, Kayla\u2019s family has slowly started to mend. She shares how her father overcame addiction, her stepmother found ways to honor Ashley, and how she has learned to navigate life after loss. (00:56:00) \u2013 Advice for Young Bereaved Siblings Kayla reflects on what she would tell her younger self and encourages others to allow themselves to grieve, seek support, and embrace the healing process. This episode is sponsored by The Surviving Siblings  Connect with Kayla:  Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kayla.updike?mibextid=ZbWKwL Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/kaylaupdike?igsh=MTBuNHdtcjNvMzhlMw== Connect with Maya: Podcast Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/survivingsiblingspodcast\/ Maya's Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mayaroffler\/ TikTok: https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@survivingsiblingspodcast Twitter: https:\/\/x.com\/survivingsibpod Website: thesurvivingsiblings.com Facebook Group: The Surviving Siblings Podcast YouTube: The Surviving Siblings Podcast Patreon: https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/TheSurvivingSiblingsPodcast   ","author_name":"The Surviving Siblings\u00ae","author_url":"https:\/\/www.thesurvivingsiblings.com","html":"