Welcome to our on-line Wall of Hope. This wall was created to support and inspire the families that find themselves entering the doors of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. We invite you into the personal lives of some of our tiniest and most heroic babies ..and hope you gain inspiration from each and every one of them. These images of beautifully growing children welcome families as they enter the doors in order to provide a sense of comfort and encouragement.
"May they trust in the potential that is yet to be. May they know that others have walked this journey before them. May they find the inspiration to go into each moment, the next day, the next month - assured that those that they love are surrounded by care."
- the Rev. Kristin Miles
NICU Family Advisory Council
Photography by jagstudios.net
Quinn, Sadie, Cashlyn
Cashlyn: 4 lbs., 1 oz. — 42 days in the NICU
Sadie: 4 lbs., 3 oz. — 47 days in the NICU
Quinn: 3 lbs., 9 oz. — 65 days in the NICU
At age 5½, these triplets love to use their imaginations. Cashlyn and Sadie dress up as princesses and Quinn pretends to be the pirate who captures them.
Destany
Born at 40 weeks, 6 lbs., 8 oz. — 6 days in the NICU
Now 7 months, Destany is a sweet little girl. She loves to play peek-a-boo, spend time with her family and explore the big world around her.
Gianni
Born at 35 weeks, 5 lbs., 7 oz. — 180 days in the NICU
Vanishing gastroschisis
Gianni is 3 now, and is funny and energetic. He loves to ride his quad, dig in the sandbox, play soccer and visit the animals on his Nonni’s farm.
Chloe
Born at 33 weeks, 4 lbs., 1 oz. — 10 days in the NICU
When she isn’t dancing competitively (or just for the fun of it), Chloe, now 6, spends her days cartwheeling, swimming and playing dress up.
Allison and Emily
Born at 33 weeks
Allison, 3 lbs, 3 oz. — 30 days in the NICU
Emily, 5 lbs, 3 oz. — 14 days in the NICU
Allie and Emmie, now 7, could spend all day singing and dancing. This inseparable duo love to laugh and perform shows for friends and family.
Taylor
Born at 23 weeks, 1 lb., 3 oz. — 154 days in the NICU
Hydrocephalus, surgical NEC, PDA ligation
When she isn't singing along with Barney on TV, Taylor can be found playing outdoors, or arranging color and number blocks with her older sister.
Fabrizio
Born at 24 weeks, 1 lb., 5 oz. — 363 days in the hospital (NICU & PRCU)
Tracheostomy, PDA ligation, chronic lung disease, bilateral hernia repair, airway reconstruction, nissen fundoplication
At age 6, Fabrizio is made for adventure. He loves to read about Indiana Jones and Tin Tin.
Lila
Born at 26 weeks, 1 lb., 15 oz. — 95 days in the NICU
Chronic lung disease, bilateral hernia repair
Lila Grace, 2, is a determined little girl! Whether it’s her highchair, a ladder or a stool to the counter, she is always exploring new places.
Annabelle
Born at 31 weeks, 3 lbs., 13 oz. — 57 days in the NICU
Annabelle, at 22 months, loves to read, color, dance and play on her swing. On nice afternoons, she walks to visit the donkeys that live down the street from her house.
Brody
Born at 29 weeks — 53 days in the NICU
PDA
Brody is 5½ now, a social and active boy. But as much as he loves soccer and school, he also values a quiet afternoon at home playing with Legos.
Ava
Born at 25 weeks, 1 lb., 13 oz. — 104 days in the NICU
Now 21 months, Ava loves to play with bubbles, dolls and her kitchen set. Most of all she enjoys reading Elmo books with her mom, dad, brother and sister.
Patrick
Born at 33 weeks, 7 lbs. — 120 days in the NICU
Delivered via EXIT C-Section with large, rare vascular tumor in neck and chest (KHE), received radiation treatment at 9 weeks, chronic lung disease
Patrick, 2½, loves exploring the outdoors with his brother, Luke. Patrick is a gentle, joyful boy, who gives his hugs generously, and enjoys the company of family and friends.
Kevin
Born at 30 weeks, 2 lbs. — 105 days in NICU
Medical NEC
Kevin, 11, is funny, kind and talkative. He enjoys playing with his army men and studying American History because he wants to be a Navy SEAL when he grows up.
Anastasia, Andrew, and Addison
Born at 32 weeks
Anastasia, 2 lbs., 13 oz. — 41 days in the NICU
Andrew, 4 lbs., 1 oz. — 19 days in the NICU
Addison, 4 lbs., 3 oz. — 31 days in the NICU
Andrew, Addison and Anastasia are 18 months old now and are three peas in a pod. They love exploring the backyard, playing, running and laughing together.
Zachary
Born at 23 weeks, 1 lb., 11 oz. — 114 days in the NICU
Hydrocephalus, PDA, bilateral hernia repair, profound hearing loss
Zachary is 8½ and loves to curl up with a good book. He enjoys traveling to any place that holds an adventure, playing the piano and building with Legos.
Michael
Born at 40 weeks, 9 lbs., 6 oz. — 60 days in the NICU
Meconium aspiration, ECMO
Mikey, 8, loves baseball, soccer and going to the park with his brother, Ryan. He has a knack for cheering people up, and hopes to be a police officer like his father.
Grayden
Born at 24 weeks, 1 lb., 4 oz. — 114 days in the NICU
Bilateral hernia repair, ROP
Nicknamed Grader Ade because he has so much energy, Grady loves to climb, sing and dance. When he grows up, he wants to be a firefighter…just like Daddy.
Phinneas
Born at 27 weeks, 2 lbs., 6 oz. — 78 days in the NICU
Bilateral hernia repair
Phinn is 4 years old and loves swimming, reading, dancing and playing music with his cousins. He enjoys having magical adventures with his family at Disney World.
Tate
Born at 25 weeks, 1 lb., 15.5 oz. — 132 days in the NICU
Surgical NEC, ROP
Eight-year-old Tate is always willing to drop everything to help someone in trouble. He wants to be a firefighter when he grows up because, he says, “I love to help people.”
Collin
Born full term on due date, 8 lbs., 5 oz. — 3 months in the NICU
Pierre Robin Sequence
Oliver (called Collin after old family name), 5, enjoys cars and trucks. He is also very creative; he enjoys using his imagination and loves music.
Alisiana and Nicandro
Born at 31 weeks
Lisi, 3 lbs. 3 oz. — 7 weeks in the NICU
Nico, 3 lbs. 10 oz. — 4 weeks in the NICU
Lisi and Nico are now 2. Avacados are their favorite food. Lisi loves dancing to her Disney Sing Along DVDs and her favorite book, Goodnight Moon. Nico enjoys playing with his soccer ball and reading Brown Bear Brown Bear, What Do You See? with his mom.
Harper
Born at 25 weeks — 97 days in the NICU
Harper, 1, loves anything outside, like swinging or swimming in the pool. She enjoys being loved up and snacking on cheese doodles.
Kellen
Born at 27 weeks, 2 lbs., 1 oz. — 163 days in the NICU
Chronic lung disease, sepsis, pneumonia, feeding difficulties
Kellen, age 13 months, is a homebody. He is his happiest at home, playing with his brother and dog. He also enjoys being around the action, playing with a ball or watching his cousins play.
Patrick
Born at 41 weeks, 7 lbs. 6, oz. — 17 days in the NICU
Seizures, feeding complications
Patrick, 22 months, loves to play outside and be around people. Patrick also enjoys swimming and pretending to be a fish. Patrick is sweet and charming and has a smile for everyone.
Ryan
Born at 26 weeks — 101 days in the NICU
Ryan, 3, loves playing outside, riding his bicycle, and using sidewalk chalk. He also enjoys puzzles and blocks. Ryan has a sweet tooth and enjoys chocolate, cake and ice cream.
Lauryn
Born at 25 weeks, 1 lb. 2 oz.
Tracheotomy
Lauryn, 8, loves playing outside; riding her scooter, making mud pies, playing in piles of leaves or making snow angels. Lauryn is imaginative and produces her own creations on the computer. When she grows up, she’d like to be a chef.
Hannah
Born at 24 weeks, 1 lb., 8 oz. — 96 days in the NICU
Nicknamed “Hannah Banana” (though she dislikes bananas) Hannah, 7, loves singing and dancing. She also enjoys the beach and art class, especially if the projects are messy! One day, Hannah would like to be a princess and a mommy.
AJ
Born at 24 weeks, 1 lb. 1oz.
Bilateral grade IV bleeds, chronic lung disease, ROP.
AJ, 8, loves to ride his bike, swim, rough house, listen to music, laugh and above all loves being with his family!
Violet
Born at 33 weeks, 5 lbs. — 14 days in the NICU
High bilirubin levels
Violet is now 16 months old and loves to dance, play with her dolls and especially loves to give hugs. There's also the occasional mischief that she participates in along with her older brother. She does all with a beautiful smile.
