RSV: What You Need to Know
by Kelli Kelley, parent of two preemies and Amy Carr, parent of one preemie For most infants, respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus (RSV) causes an illness like a common cold in the upper and lower respiratory tracts. But some babies, including those born preterm and … [Read More...]
Congrats! Preemie Power Winners
2011 Winners
Thundering Thurston Award This award is given to the child/ren who received the most overall votes in the photo contest in memory and honor of Thurston Mossholder, Preemie Power Winner 2010. This year's winner with a … [Read More...]
Helping Hands Highlights
Meet Victoria Trejo & Her Daugher Amiah – What a Difference a Year Makes
By Erika Goyer, Hand to Hold Family Support Navigator
Sometimes you have the chance to connect with another mom in a way that is so personal and so intense that you feel an instant bond. I think that’s what happened when Kelli met Victoria on our visit to El Paso, Texas last year. If I’m remembering correctly she said to me, “Victoria needs to be matched with another mom. And I want that mom to be me.” I knew at that point that I wouldn’t even try to get between them.
We met Victoria in the NICU at Las Palmas Medical Center. Although she was from Las Cruces, New Mexico, her daughter, Amiah, had been transferred to a NICU in El Paso soon after her birth on January 15, 2011 at 22 weeks gestation. Once she recovered from her emergency c-section Victoria began the exhausting routine of driving back and forth from Las Cruces to El Paso to be with her daughter.
I remember seeing Amiah that day in the NICU. She was in the quietest corner of the unit where the lights were dimmed and where there wasn’t much sound other than the hum of the oscillator. We whispered to each other in her quiet room and wondered at her tiny, beautiful body. I am always humbled and amazed by these extraordinary babies. I don’t know if she is the smallest infant I’ve gazed upon in wonder and amazement but she may be. When Amiah arrived she was 12 ounces and 10-1/2 inches long, no larger than a soda bottle. [Read More...]
Jennifer Fagan and Her Daughter Natalie Grace
Jennifer Fagan had her daughter Natalie Grace at 26 weeks due to placental abruption. She and her husband Mike have two other children. In addition to serving as a Helping Hand Peer Mentor, Jenn has also been helping facilitate a NICU support group at North Austin Medical Center. She shares below what volunteering to help other parents means to her.
How did you find out about Hand to Hold?
I can’t remember who specifically shared it with me, but it was one of the moms in our mom’s group that met once a week at the hospital while our kiddos were in the NICU.
What made you want to volunteer? What have you gotten out of it?
Hoping to be there for other families was our first reason. There were times we felt alone or isolated. We didn’t know anyone who had gone through delivering a premature baby. Two different opportunities really showed us the value in having someone who has gone through what you’re being faced with to support you. The first was through a weekly mom’s group for the moms with babies in the NICU. The relationships I developed through those get-togethers provided me with comfort, laughter, shared tears, strength and understanding. Second, we received an email from a family at our church who had heard of what we were going through and they reached out to us, listened, prayed and encouraged us. These things helped us to see first hand how impactful that type of support can be. To have an opportunity to be there for someone no matter how great or small, just to let them know that you are there for them, is our hope. We also want to do our best to make positive things come forth from a tough time in our life. [Read More...]
