Stranded in Portugal, couple unexpectedly births twins and meets tragedy

Unable to return home with surviving daughter

Fred and Kim Spratt desperately want to return home to New Jersey after their romantic "babymoon" to Portugal ended in tragedy. 

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Before traveling to Portugal on May 2, the Spratts consulted with their doctor, who cleared Kim for travel.

"We're trying to hit spots on our bucket list every year, so we picked Portugal. The doctor gave me 100 percent clearance, and we got total reassurance," Kim said.

In the couple's interview on July with the Asbury Park Press, they said that the twins were due August 25 but Kim unexpectedly went into labor during their stay in Portugal on Mother's Day.

The twins -Hudson Charles weighing 1lbs. 12oz and Hayden Grace at 1lbs. 7oz.-were born fourteen days after the couple's arrival to Europe. The Spratts were heartbroken when Hudson passed away days later.

Their daughter Hayden's health was an issue for the first few months. Three-month-old Hayden is now healthy enough to return to America on a medically equipped aircraft, but the Spratt's insurance company refuses to send one.

"They are claiming that this is not a medical necessity. Their stance was, well, just sit in Portugal and wait until she could fly commercially," said Fred Spratt to Eyewitness News.

According to The Daily Mail, their medical insurance provider -High Mark Blue Cross/Blue Shield- is not willing to cover the added expense of a specially equipped medical airplane. The couple is worried they might not make it home due to their visas' upcoming expiration. They have been consulting with the U.S. consulate to see what their options are, but at best they can remain in Portugal for a few more weeks while Hayden will likely take several months before being cleared to fly commercially.

Kim told Asbury Park Press, "That's what makes it bittersweet -she's finally reached the point that we have been fighting for all this time, and we can't even leave."

Fred said, "Hayden had so much pressure on her to get better -she did that for us. Now, it's our job to get her home -to do that for her."

They plan on burying Hudson in New Jersey and baby Hayden now weighs about two pounds. She is reported to be remarkably healthy and was allowed to be held by her parents a few days ago.

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