Why Should Your Child Be Recognized as Preemie of the Year?
Of course every preemie parent thinks of their child as “Preemie of the Year” but I think Aiden deserves to be recognized as “Preemie of the Year” because he has overcome what so many people didn’t believe was possible. He was blessed from the moment he was born. They always say a baby born still in the amniotic sac is a blessed baby. That was the case with Aiden and as soon as they broke the sac he started breathing and crying all on his own! It was the best sound in the world since we all know that it was highly possible for him to be born not breathing at all.

Aiden had plenty of good days in the NICU but he had multiple bad days as well. It hurts so bad being a parent and seeing your precious baby lay helpless in an incubator struggling just to breathe. Every time they would diagnose him with a problem he found the strength to overcome it. He didn’t let anything keep him down for long and he kept on proving everyone wrong. He’s our little miracle and he is proof for everyone out there that miracles can happen and that if you are there by your baby’s side in the NICU then they will find the strength to pull through.

Aiden came home the day after his due date (September 5th, 2011) and is up to 9lbs 8oz now. He is still on oxygen and apnea monitor but we are so happy to have him home.

Using Three Or More Characteristics of a Super Hero, Please Describe Your Child.

Aiden’s first super-hero power would have to be Super-Strength like The Hulk. Without this power there is no way he would have been able to defeat the stay in the NICU. Using his Super-Strength he has beat down his premature lungs, his brain bleed, and his hydrocephalus and is still going strong and ready for whatever comes next!

Aiden’s second super-hero power is Accelerated Healing like Wolverine! He showed us this power in his first few weeks of life. When he was touched or had leads on him they left abrasions and his skin would bleed and bruise because his skin was so thin. Aiden didn’t let this bring him down and he would heal himself very quickly. Now he has a few tiny scars from it but you can barely tell that he ever had to go through such pain.

Last but not least, Aiden’s third super-hero power is Bravery like every super-hero. Aiden has showed us tremendous amount of bravery since the day he was born. He was ready to come into this world and when he got here he showed us the true meaning of how to be brave. He fought hard and didn’t cry at all. He took all the poking like a man which shows me that he is brave enough to do anything is this world and that is why I know he is going to grow up and do big things.

What advice do you have for future NICU parents?

Don’t lose Hope.

There is a book titled “PREEMIES” (large green letters on front) BUY IT!!! It’s basically the “What to expect” book for the NICU and anything that could possibly go wrong in there and in PLAIN language. It helped me understand a lot more about what my baby boy was going through and what the pros and cons were of every procedure.

Don’t be afraid to talk to people about how your feeling and what you are going through. Have a support “person” or “group” We stayed at the Ronald McDonald House and it helped us a lot because we were able to talk to other parents that were going through the same thing.

Last but not least, Pray everyday.

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?

Hand to Hold’s services are amazing. It gives parents hope and a way to see that other Parents are going through the same thing. It gives Parents peace of mind knowing that other children have been strong and survived being a preemie.

The best kind of support is knowing that you aren’t alone.