If there’s one thing that parents of preemies need it is hope, and there is no one more qualified to give parents of preemies that hope than the moms and dads who have been there. If you’re a preemie parent, know that the knowledge that you aren’t alone in the challenges you’re facing can be empowering, inspiring, and uplifting. The photos and stories that we share on this page are here to give you a glimpse of the strength of premature babies and the resilience of the moms and dads who care for them. To the parents just starting out on the prematurity journey, our goal is to show you that you are not alone. You can do this. You will make it through. And to the parents who have been there, we invite you to email your photo and story to nicole @ grahamsfoundation.org. Sharing your journey is one way you can offer new moms and dads hope and remind them that in the NICU, miracles happen every day.
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- I never knew what being a NICU parent meant. The long hours in the NICU the constant roller coaster ride. It’s a scary experience. After being told my 27 week, 4 day old daughter wouldn’t make it, she came home to us after 68 days with no complications. But you never stop being a preemie parent. The experience haunts me at times, and I have serious PTSD which I never thought could happen to me. I am grateful and forever blessed, but it doesn’t take away the experience. It’s not something you can just forget. The Graham’s foundation has helped me tremendously! I love reading and sharing in others experience and the package you sent made our NICU stay much easier.
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- Graham was born at 34 weeks when I had a silent placental abruption. He was born not breathing and was helicoptered to Brigham and Women’s. While in the NICU, Graham was cooled to delay the unoxygenated blood from reaching his brain. We were SO fortunate to live close to a level III and IV NICU that could do this. Graham’s nurses and doctors made us feel so comfortable despite our worry. We are so proud of Graham! He is now 15 months and just took his first steps! He is still in Physical Therapy and sees a neurologist as a precaution but is doing wonderfully!!
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- Isaac Alexander was born at 26 weeks and spent 116 days in the NICU. Our NICU journey was a bit difficult. Not only was I attending law school but at one point Isaac fell critically ill and we were unsure if we’d be able to bring home. I am so grateful that he was able to fight through his toughest days and come home with us! Isaac was also born with an encephalocele; a rare neural tube defect that required a six hour brain operation at 13 months old. He is now 22 months old and doing absolutely amazing! To anyone facing the NICU for the first time, please know that there is hope!
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- We delivered at 27 weeks on April 5th and came home July 26th. He was 1lb 9oz at birth and over 8lbs now!
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- My daughter was born at 28 weeks in March 2018 due to severe pre-eclampsia and we referred to your foundation’s website and online community for a lot of support during our NICU journey. During the 51 days our daughter was in the NICU all of your resources helped us learn how to care for her and prepare us for what was next. We will be forever grateful for those resources during that difficult time in our lives.
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- Our girls were born weighing 3lbs 4 oz., 3 lbs 5 oz., and 2lbs 15oz. We spent 29 days in the NICU as “feeder growers”. When they were released from the NICU, still weighing under 5 lbs, we attached their hospital bracelets to their car seats, and when we got home we painted each girls toes to tell them apart for the first 6 months.
