In an extraordinary turn of events, Abby Bailiff of Thomasville, North Carolina, experienced the joy of welcoming her first child into the world and then accomplished another major milestone by walking across the stage to receive her doctorate degree within a mere 24 hours.
At 28 years old, Bailiff successfully completed the demanding three-year doctor of nursing practice program while simultaneously working full time as a registered nurse. To make her academic pursuits possible, she worked overnight shifts, allowing her to attend school during the day. Adding to her list of achievements, Bailiff also passed her board exam on May 1st.
As her due date of April 27th came and went, Bailiff's anticipation grew. With the scheduled graduation ceremony at the UNCF Greensboro School of Nursing set for May 4th, she admitted to feeling increasingly anxious.
"Every day past 40 weeks, I was like, 'Oh gosh. This is getting closer and closer,'" Bailiff shared with "Good Morning America." Eventually, on May 2nd, she underwent induction due to concerns about the development of her son Bodie's lungs. "It was not the original plan to be that close to graduation... but Bodie had other plans," Bailiff added.
Fortunately, the birth of baby Bodie went smoothly, and after spending a night in the hospital, Bailiff was discharged on her graduation day itself.
Contemplating whether to attend the ceremony, Bailiff admitted to grappling with conflicting emotions, not wanting to leave her newborn so soon. However, around 1:30 p.m., she made a resolute decision. "I think I should really do this," she thought. With her sister and mother by her side, they rallied together to prepare her for the momentous event.
Less than two hours later, Bailiff was making her way into the graduation venue, just 24 hours after Bodie's birth. Overwhelmed with emotion, she couldn't help but feel an immense sense of accomplishment. "Once I got there and I walked in, I was like, 'I'm so glad I came,'" Bailiff recalled. "It was an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment. I can't even describe the feeling I felt. I was just overjoyed."
As Bailiff confidently walked across the stage, accepting her well-deserved doctorate degree, her husband and little Bodie watched the memorable moment from home through a FaceTime call. "I worked really hard to do it all and to accomplish my dreams and goals," Bailiff emphasized. "And it was all for Bodie."
Abby Bailiff's extraordinary journey exemplifies unwavering determination, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of dreams. Her story serves as a testament to the power of dedication and the limitless possibilities that lie within each of us. As she embarks on this new chapter of motherhood while holding her doctorate degree, Bailiff's remarkable achievements will continue to inspire others to reach for the stars and embrace the incredible potential within themselves.
“l worked really hard to do it all and to accomplish my dreams and goals,” she said. “And it was all for Bodie.”
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Via People