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Truth about Anna Nicole Smith’s Daughter Dannielynn Birkhead’s Disability
Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter Dannielynn Birkhead struggled with a disability called strabismus, also known as hypertropia or crossed eyes — where…
Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter Dannielynn Birkhead struggled with a disability called strabismus, also known as hypertropia or crossed eyes — where one eye turns inward.
Larry Birkhead, Dannielynn’s father, had been proactive in seeking medical attention for Dannielynn, explaining he had taken her to the doctor since she was a few months old.
“She has strabismus, which is a turning in of one of her eyes and it’s something that we’ve been looking out for for a while,” her father, Larry, told Entertainment Tonight via People.
Strabismus, affecting up to 5 percent of all children, is described as a vision condition where a person cannot align both eyes simultaneously under normal conditions.
Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter Dannielynn Birkhead and Dannielynn’s dad Larry Birkhead. (Source: )
Dannielynn’s experience with strabismus has led to the use of an eye patch to manage the condition. Larry took numerous measures to help Dannielynn feel more at ease with the procedure, like exposing her to a pirate doll and reassuring her that it’s fine to wear a patch.
Larry expressed, “I got her a little pirate doll to show her that people wear patches, and it’s okay.”
When discussing the potential of surgery as a corrective measure for strabismus, Larry expressed reluctance due to personal experiences with the loss of loved ones during medical procedures.
Having lost Anna, her son Daniel Wayne Smith, and his father, Larry remained understandably cautious about subjecting Dannielynn to surgery. Despite the hesitation, he is committed to exploring all options for correcting the condition while being mindful of the emotional toll that medical interventions can take.
Addressing speculation regarding the influence of Anna’s drug dependency during pregnancy on Dannielynn’s condition, Larry refuted such claims.
Consulting with doctors, he highlighted that the opinions received indicated it was doubtful that drug dependency played a role in causing strabismus. Instead, genetic factors are considered a more plausible explanation.
Larry had been proactive in seeking medical advice and had consistently questioned healthcare professionals about potential links between Anna’s medications and Dannielynn’s condition, with the agreement being that a genetic predisposition was more likely.
Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter Dannielynn Birkhead is 17
Dannielynn was born on September 7, 2006, in Nassau, Bahamas. Initially known as Dannielynn Hope Marshall Stern, her birth sparked a paternity battle between Howard K. Stern, whom Anna initially claimed to be the father.
However, Larry disputed that claim and insisted on a DNA test to ascertain the truth. Unfortunately, before the paternity matter was settled, Anna, Dannielynn’s mother, passed away on February 8, 2007, at the age of 39, due to an accidental drug overdose.
In April 2007, a DNA test confirmed Larry as Dannielynn’s biological father. Larry, upon learning the results, publicly declared, “I’m the father,” expressing gratitude for the support he received.
When the results were out Stern was cooperative and hugged Larry outside the courthouse, expressing a commitment to ensuring the best interests of Dannielynn.
Where is Anna Nicole Smith’s daughter Dannielynn Birkhead now?
As of the latest updates, Dannielynn, the daughter of the late Anna, is leading a relatively normal life that includes typical childhood experiences.
Reports from E! News suggested that Dannielynn is actively engaged in her school life, enjoying the routine of education while also participating in family trips to places like Dollywood and Disney World.
Beyond the academic sphere, Dannielynn has cultivated some unique interests, such as playing the violin and engaging with social media through platforms like Snapchat.
On significant occasions like her mother’s death anniversary, Dannielynn, along with her father Larry, commemorates the day by sharing a moment of reflection over cake, keeping the memory of her late mother alive through Larry’s heartfelt stories.
Anna Nicole Smith’s son Daniel Wayne Smith died 3 days after Dannielynn Birkhead’s birth
Dannielynn’s half-brother, Daniel Wayne Smith was born to Smith and her first husband, Billy Smith, on January 22, 1985. He was raised by his mother and maternal grandmother, Virgie Arthur, in Texas after his parents’ separation in 1987.
At 16, he stepped into the spotlight, making appearances on his mother’s reality show, The Anna Nicole Show, and even trying his hand at acting in two of her films, Skyscraper and To The Limit.
Anna Nicole Smith’s son Daniel Wayne Smith. (Source: )
Tragically, Daniel’s life was cut short at the age of 20 when he succumbed to a combination of drugs, including methadone and antidepressants on September 10, 2006.
He passed away in his hospital room while visiting his mother, who had just given birth to his half-sister, Dannielynn, when he passed away. He died three days after Dannielynn’s birth.
Anna Nicole Smith died months after her son
Anna died on February 8, 2007, months after the death of her son at the age of 39. She as d unresponsive at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
The circumstances surrounding her death were complex and troubling, as revealed by the subsequent investigation led by Broward County Medical Examiner Joshua Perper.
The wife of Anna’s bodyguard, equipped with emergency medical training, initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for a lengthy 15 minutes before her husband took over.
The investigation, conducted in collaboration with Seminole police and independent forensic experts, determined that her cause of death was “combined drug intoxication,” with chloral hydrate, a sleeping medication, identified as the primary contributor.
Notably, no illegal drugs were detected in her system, and the official report ruled out homicide, suicide, or natural causes as the cause of death.
Anna Nicole Smith. (Source: )
Perper’s detailed findings shed light on the complex cocktail of prescription drugs that played a role in Anna’s accidental overdose. The sedative chloral hydrate, exacerbated by the presence of benzodiazepines such as Klonopin, Ativan, Serax, and Valium, proved to be a lethal combination.
The situation was further complicated by the inclusion of Benadryl and Topamax, both of which intensified the sedative effects of the primary drugs.
Contrary to rumors, methadone was only found in Smith’s bile, suggesting ingestion days before her death and ruling it out as a contributing factor.
The autopsy report uncovered additional health issues, including abscesses on her buttocks, likely from prior injections of vitamin B12 and human growth hormone.
A startling revelation emerged during the investigation, pointing to the fact that eight of the eleven drugs in Anna’s system, including chloral hydrate, were prescribed to Howard K. Stern, not her.
Moreover, two prescriptions were attributed to “Alex Katz,” and another was in the name of Dr. Khristine Eroshevich, a friend and psychiatrist of Anna. The funeral was held on March 2, 2007, in the Bahamas.