There are things to celebrate in a child’s life. Like all parents, we celebrated babies rolling over, taking first steps, speaking first words, and using manners for the first time without being prompted. This weekend we celebrated again. Elsie blew up her first balloon. And I cried. Watching your child learn something new is like … Continue reading From ventilators to balloons
World prematurity day
Today we honour the million babies worldwide who died this year because they were born too soon, and the 12 million more who struggle to survive. November 17 is World Prematurity Day, raising awareness of the serious problem of premature birth and helping to give our smallest world citizens the healthy start they deserve. A global … Continue reading World prematurity day
Four years and three states on…
This time four years ago, I was sitting beside a cot in the Special Care Unit of a Brisbane hospital. In the cot across from Elsie was another 24-weeker, little Stephanie, with her mum, Tara. In the same room in Special Care and both housed in Ronald McDonald House, we shared very closely the ups … Continue reading Four years and three states on…
Stream of conciousness – prematurity, germs and child care
After Elsie’s birth, we learnt very quickly about infections. For premature babies who are already vulnerable, infections are a serious complication with frightening immediate risks and potential long-term effects. They have immature immune systems and fewer antibodies from their mother, and unfortunately infection in these precious little people is also common. Many of the interventions, … Continue reading Stream of conciousness – prematurity, germs and child care
Flame of hope
I have wiped tears from the keyboard and laughed out loud tonight while reading journal entries from the time that Elsie was born prematurely (16 weeks early) four years ago. So it's now that I'd like to share a short story—actually, it’s almost entirely snippets from my journal—that I compiled a couple of years ago about her … Continue reading Flame of hope
A sleepless night
‘But where are the boys who took me in the caravan?’ Elsie asked. It was 2am and we were lying on a narrow bed together in the emergency room at our local hospital. The ‘caravan’ was the ambulance and ‘the boys’ were the two middle-aged paramedics who entered our lounge room in their uniforms carrying … Continue reading A sleepless night
Birthday thoughts
Today I turned 37 years old. The journal entry on my birthday each year almost always begins like that, like each age is a huge milestone. And I guess if you've reached it, that’s what it is. Some years I then go into some sort of reflection of where I’m at in life and other times what … Continue reading Birthday thoughts
