Addison C. ~ Super Hero Alias: SuperSmiles

Age: 6 months old
Weight at Birth: 1 lb, 12 ozs
Weeks Gestation: 27 weeks, 6 days
Time in the NICU: 71 days

Why should your child be recognized as “Preemie of the Year”?

Addison had to be delivered way earlier than she should because mommy had preeclampsia. Weighing just 1 pound 12 ounces, she was immediately a little fighter. She came out crying, something the doctors told us not to expect. She was on a ventilator for just one night! At just 2 weeks old and only weighing 2 pounds, sweet little Addison got pneumonia. You could see the great concern in our wonderful doctor’s and nurses’ faces. She was put back on the ventilator for a couple of days and given a blood transfusion. After her transfusion, she amazingly fought off the pneumonia. She still spent another 8 weeks in the NICU with her ups and downs. After 71 long days, our sweet little miracle came home! She is now 6 months old, healthy and so happy!!!

Using three or more typical characteristics of a Super Hero, please describe your child.

Strong, perseverant and courageous!

What advice do you have for future NICU parents?

Seek support from groups like Parents Reaching Out. Get to know the families that are going through the same thing you are. It makes a huge difference to have someone to talk to.

Describe how Hand to Hold’s services are meaningful to you and future families. What kind of support would have helped you most during your journey?

Just having someone to talk to makes ALL the difference in the world.