Consider supporting our mission to share hope with families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. We thank our supporters, Preemie Prints volunteers, and donors for allowing us to continue touching the lives of NICU, preemie, and angel families.
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
Cooper Dale Brodner was born on 3/4/15 at 5 lbs 9 oz, 3 weeks early. While 37 weeks may be considered full term for Cooper, we discovered his esophagus was not connected to his stomach. Surgery took place the next day to repair.
WE had no idea the journey we were about to embark on when Cooper came into this world. All along we were having a really healthy pregnancy with some minor issue but nothing to cause major concern. We went to the ED for a non stress test since I had felt little movement during the day. Next thing I knew we were going to be delivering our baby because there was no movement at all. Cooper cam out crying but really bruised which prompted his to get a work up at the NICU. There they learned that his esophagus was not connected to his stomach and surgery was required to connect. the surgeons and NICU staff were all incredible and 18 days after we delivered we were headed home. COoper is now 10 months and while he is doing excellent the experience of being in the NICU has hit me as a parent the hardest most recently. Something as simple as the smell of hand sanitizer can bring me right back to being there and the roller coaster pf emotions can come flooding back. As time goes on it become easier to deal with but just as much of a traumatic experience it is for our babies....it is for us as well. I have found healing through talking about it more. Being A NICU parent is like being in a club you never asked to join but our babies are warriors and everyday I appreciate a bit more from the last knowing he continues to get stronger and healthier each day
Volunteer Photographer:
Jen Sternal-Johnson, Blackbird Photography
A Note from Jen:
Cooper was born at 37 weeks with a tracheoesophageal fistula, which was surgically corrected at 1 day old. He spent 18 days in the NICU before joining his family at home. Now he's 10 months old and loves eating--including my photo props! Such a fun kiddo to work with. Best wishes to this little family!
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 600 NICU family sessions.
This was a Preemie Prints NICU graduate photography session that took place near Rochester, NY.
We're thankful to the family for sharing their story & memories in support of other NICU families.
No comments:
Post a Comment