What is a NICU H.O.P.E. Meeting?

Last night was our monthly NICU H.O.P.E. (Helping Other Parents Endure) Meeting at The College Station Medical Center. Our Brazos Valley meetings are held on a monthly basis - the 2nd Friday of every month from 6:15-8:00. Any family who has ever spent time in a neonatal intensive care unit is invited to attend, no matter the duration or outcome of your baby's stay. Last night's meeting was sponsored by Newk's Express Cafe. They graciously donated sandwiches, fruit salad, and desert for our meeting. The food was wonderful and the service excellent. We cannot thank Newk's enough for their amazing support, and after last night I'm sure they have some new fans!

Preemie Prints is a community of people who share 1 common bond: our journey's all began in the NICU - past or present - the NICU is what ties us all together. We have families who have spent only a few days in the NICU and others who have spent months. Some who have healthy toddlers running around, and others who face long roads ahead with therapies, surgeries, disability, and/or developmental delays. Many of our families had a NICU stay that ended in the tragic loss of their baby. We all come together once per month to meet up, visit, check in, share updates, ask questions, share dinner, and most of all support each other.

When a mom or dad walks into a NICU H.O.P.E. meeting they are immediately reminded that they are not alone in their journey. No matter where they are now, our Preemie Prints family is willing to offer support, lend a listening ear, look through photos, hear stories, share advice, inspire one another, recommend resources, and even shed tears together.

We are not a traditional support group. We are a friendly hope filled support community. We laugh, we cry, we talk, we vent, we share. So if you haven't joined us please consider doing so, and if you ever feel alone, remember you are not. ~Amber

Updates on meeting times and other family events can be found our our website, facebook page (events tab), or through the Bryan College Station group page.