We pray these special memories from Preemie Prints
will help families heal and remember how strong
they were in overcoming their NICU journey together.
A NICU STORY | THOUGHTS FROM MOM
"Sara
Evelye Grant was born on November27, 2013 at 23 weeks gestation. She
weighed one pound and three ounces. Sara graduated from the NICU on
March 27, 2014 after 121 days of life. She is now at home with mommy and
daddy. Sara has Chronic Lung Disease and requires the use of oxygen.
Our
daughter, Sara Evelye, was born 17 weeks early and spent 121 days in the
NICU. Everyone told us how our experience would be a roller coaster and
really that is the best description. Sara weighed just 1 pound, 3 ounces
and was 11 inches long. We were told from the seventh week of pregnancy
that our baby most likely wouldn't make it. I spent my first trimester
on bed rest due to heavy bleeding, a uterine anomaly, and an incompetent
cervix. At 21 weeks I had a cerclage, 22 weeks was hospitalized with
early labor, and 23 weeks 4 days had a placental abruption and our sweet
Sara was born. Sara had complications just like all micropreemies. The
doctors always feared the worst. We were told about all that could be
wrong with our baby. Instead of focusing on that we chose to see what
was right. We were given a beautiful baby girl who, although fighting
for life, knew only love. We vowed to always be positive by her bedside
and to speak only words of love and devotion to our sweet baby. Though
tears did sometimes fall, we kept our promise to Sara and remained happy
while with her. Her fight was hard enough without the negativity or
loss of hope. For others who will share this journey with your child, I
hope that you will embrace it as the story will be uniquely yours. Your
sweet baby will write his own book, make his own path, and have
his own outcome. Remember that you never know how much time God has
given you to devote to your loved ones, treat every day like it is a
blessing, because it is!"
Preemie Prints Volunteer Photographer:
Maria Shakir, M. Shakir Phtoography - Leesburg, VA
A note from Maria:
I
had the most amazing time working with the Grant family. Meeting Sara
was the highlight of my day. She is such a beautiful little girl with a
smile that will light up any room. She touched my heart and I will never
forget her sweet little face. I am so happy I was able to gift this
session to her parents. The smiles on their faces was all I needed to
see. Being a volunteer photographer for Preemie Prints has changed the
way I see things for the better. Thank you Grant family for reaching
out to Preemie Prints and asking for me :) I'm truly humbled.
Photos belong to our volunteer photographers, families,
and organization please do not use for any purpose.
____________________________________________
Preemie
Prints is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization sharing hope with NICU
families through a variety of support programs. One of those programs is
the gift of NICU photography and preemie photography. NICU families
from across the US can request a no-charge photography session by a
Preemie Prints volunteer. The family request from can be found on the
right side of our website. These sessions are free of charge and for any
NICU family, regardless of time spent in the NICU. The NICU photo shoot
can take place inside the NICU or after baby is discharged and at home
until their 1st birthday. Facing time in a NICU with a premature or
critically ill baby is an extremely difficult time for families. Preemie
Prints has a mission to share hope by letting families know they are
not alone. Preemie Prints currently has over 100 volunteers nationwide.
We are always looking for more volunteers to share in our mission! If
you are interested, please email sherri@preemieprints.org and visit our website at www.preemieprints.org. To date Preemie Prints and our volunteers have gifted over 400 NICU family sessions.
This was a Preemie Prints NICU graduate photography session that took place near Leesburg, VA.
We're thankful to the family for sharing their story & memories in support of other NICU families.
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