SUPPORT THE MISSION
Each year in Fort Wayne, we identify local families to share their mission story with the community. Through their story and experience, we not only share the work of the March of Dimes, we offer families a way to impact the lives of others. With the support of donors like you, families are able to connect and be a part of a community that understands their journey and why they champion for other babies.
Additionally, the March of Dimes provides a free online community for families to share their experiences as parents. This online community at http://share.marchofdimes.org/ welcomes families to discover, support and share with each other in a meaningful and accessible way. Your investment in the March of Dimes helps to make this resource possible.
Here is our 2016 Fort Wayne Ambassador Story:
April 24, 2012 is a day I will never forget. My husband and I had just learned 5 days previous that I was expecting twin girls and we were busy finishing up our baby registry in preparation. That evening, at 22 weeks, 4 days pregnant, my water broke and I was admitted to the hospital. The physicians caring for me informed me that if my labor continued at that stage, my girls would have less than a 10% chance of survival. The goal was to keep me pregnant as long as possible.
The physicians were able to keep me pregnant for 3 days and on April 27, 2012, I gave birth to my twin girls Olivia and Violet at 23 weeks gestation. They were 1 lb 3 oz and 11.5” long. When they were born, the NICU physicians told my husband JT and I that they had a 30 % chance of survival. The girls had a four month NICU stay between two different hospitals and it was filled with a lot of emotion and worry. During that stay, we encountered many difficult obstacles that tested our faith. Over those 4 months, we learned Olivia had a stroke at birth and had to watch Violet go through 6 different surgeries on her intestines because of infection.
Olivia was the first to finally be able come home on August 21, 2012. She weighed 5 lbs, 5 oz and on was home oxygen and apnea monitors. Violet followed 13 days later weighing 3 lb, 13.9 oz and was also on home oxygen and apnea monitors. Today, I am happy to report that the girls are now healthy, happy toddlers who have graduated from all their in home therapy treatments and specialists. Through the journey we have had, we have learned to be thankful for the blessings our daughters have been in our lives. They truly are miracle babies.
If you are interested in making a tax deductible donation to help families like this, please contact us at 260-482-4201 or [email protected].
