Monday, August 30, 2010

Something Near and Dear to Our Hearts

Ever since Little One's birth, Mount Sinai Hospital and Sick Kids Hospital have had a special place in our hearts. Without the two hospitals (and our local hospitals on the Island and in Sudbury), Little One probably would not be where she is today...

Happy.
Healthy.
Alive.
Here with us today.

Thanks to the medical team and staff at both hospitals, Little One is doing great and after spending the first 70 days of her life in the NICU, she is at home and in our arms.

I recently heard about another Island mom whose infant son was also in the NICU (but at Sick Kids). During her pregnancy, a blood test showed that her son had *Trisomy 13. He only lived a few days.

Reading the family's story just sent me into a crying fest. I remember all too well what it was like to live in fear that something would happen to the baby was I was carrying inside me. I remember the worry, anxiety and fear I felt every single day that I was in the NICU. I maintained a positive outlook on things, but those feelings and concerns were real. I totally sympathized with the mother who lost her son too soon. Melissa Dawn Roy is a wonderful, strong, spirited mother and has continued to do what she can for those who helped her son in his first and last moments with her.

Through Project Sweet Peas, Melissa has been working on numerous projects in honour of her son, Bennett. The most recent fundraiser is a benefit concert in Bennett's honour. The most touching this is that 100% of proceeds go towards the NICU at Sick Kids and helping families with babies in the NICU.

Please come and show your support. It's for a good cause.

For concert information or other ways you can show your support, click on the following links:

http://projectsweetpeas.com/NimkeeBlessings.aspx
http://nimkee-blessings.blogspot.com/
http://nimkee-blessings.blogspot.com/p/introducing-bennett.html

NIMKEE BLESSINGS & INTRODUCING BENNETT

SUNDAY, SEPT 5th at Gordon's Park (18777 Hwy 6), Tehkummah, Manitoulin Island! We will have lots of great entertainment for young and old alike, & fun things for the kiddies to do!

ALL PROCEEDS go to helping families with babies in the SICK KIDS HOSPITAL NICU in Toronto, Ontario.


*Trisomy 13 syndrome is a disorder of human chromosomes which occurs in approximately 1 in 10,000 live born infants. Trisomy 13 is due to the presence of an extra #13 chromosome. Possible complications: Heart defects, brain defects, cleft lip, cleft palate. The most severe are visual abnormalities, omphalocele, Proboscis and holoprosencephaly.(Source: http://www.livingwithtrisomy13.org/what-is-trisomy-13.htm)

2 comments:

  1. ~Thank you C! What a pleasant surprise to stumble across on fb tonight! I see that you posted about the Trisomy 13, which is another issue near and dear to my heart. Amazingly enough, Bennett-Chadlen wasn't born with any visible anomolies. Scans following birth showed that his brain, organs, heart were all fine. I am a strong advocate for families with Trisomy 13 children because there are so many survivors out there with a quality of life--and the world needs to know about these beautiful children and adults!! I have a story on the lwt site: http://livingwithtrisomy13.org/memoriesofbennett.htm
    Thanks again for sharing this here, and I hope to see you soon!
    Love, Peace, & Nimkee Blessings to all,
    Melissa Dawn Roy

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  2. Wish we could be there! Great cause, Chris. Big hugs for all.

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