Wings for Baby Williams
Donation protected
On Tuesday, July 2, 2019, my cousin welcomed a beautiful baby boy into our world and our hearts. Baby boy Williams decided to come early; a month and a half early, actually. Seeing his adorable little face was a great start to July for all of us. At birth, he weighed just 4 lbs, 6 oz and was 19 inches long.
Some time shortly after her delivery, he was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as many preemies are. If you’re unfamiliar, the NICU is a special place, that I hope none of you ever need to be a part of. Don’t get me wrong, the NICU staff are amazing and we’re thankful for his loving team; They care for the sickest and tiniest babies, who may live in the hospital for months at a time. But for families, life in the NICU is a roller-coaster ride – the ups and downs can be incredibly satisfying or equally heartbreaking. For Baby Williams’ parents, the NICU seemed to simultaneously bring joy, hope, sadness, and gloom. There were highs like learning he’d gained a pound, held down the necessary amount of milk, and at one point – stubbornly pulled out his feeding tube. Those were all subtle hints at his progress towards going home, we all thought. Until his parents were met with the gruesome news that he’d developed a bacterial infection, was now 60% brain dead (due to uncontrollable seizures), and told that if he were to survive, he would be in a permanent vegetative state.
At 29 days old, Baby Williams received his wings. We’re all saddened that he never had the opportunity to go home and test out his sleep patterns in the nursery his big brother (age 7) had helped set-up and that we’ll never see those joyous milestones like his first words, first steps, or the first day of school.
With the NICU stay and now the devastating loss of their son, there has been a large influx of unexpected bills, and time off work for both mom and dad. Mom is just four weeks postpartum and still has two weeks before she can visit the doctor for a clearance to return to work. Her job does not offer maternity leave, so the full six weeks, she is without pay. Though their plan was for dad to cover expenses while she nursed for six weeks, the NICU stay was something they could not have foreseen or prepared for. Dads check was short because of the days he had taken off to be at his sweet son's bedside. It is unfortunate that missing even a day of work can threaten someone’s livelihood in the manner that it does. But, it is a reality for so many people.
As they mourn, I am asking that you please consider donating to help offset some of their immediate financial needs.
Some time shortly after her delivery, he was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) as many preemies are. If you’re unfamiliar, the NICU is a special place, that I hope none of you ever need to be a part of. Don’t get me wrong, the NICU staff are amazing and we’re thankful for his loving team; They care for the sickest and tiniest babies, who may live in the hospital for months at a time. But for families, life in the NICU is a roller-coaster ride – the ups and downs can be incredibly satisfying or equally heartbreaking. For Baby Williams’ parents, the NICU seemed to simultaneously bring joy, hope, sadness, and gloom. There were highs like learning he’d gained a pound, held down the necessary amount of milk, and at one point – stubbornly pulled out his feeding tube. Those were all subtle hints at his progress towards going home, we all thought. Until his parents were met with the gruesome news that he’d developed a bacterial infection, was now 60% brain dead (due to uncontrollable seizures), and told that if he were to survive, he would be in a permanent vegetative state.
At 29 days old, Baby Williams received his wings. We’re all saddened that he never had the opportunity to go home and test out his sleep patterns in the nursery his big brother (age 7) had helped set-up and that we’ll never see those joyous milestones like his first words, first steps, or the first day of school.
With the NICU stay and now the devastating loss of their son, there has been a large influx of unexpected bills, and time off work for both mom and dad. Mom is just four weeks postpartum and still has two weeks before she can visit the doctor for a clearance to return to work. Her job does not offer maternity leave, so the full six weeks, she is without pay. Though their plan was for dad to cover expenses while she nursed for six weeks, the NICU stay was something they could not have foreseen or prepared for. Dads check was short because of the days he had taken off to be at his sweet son's bedside. It is unfortunate that missing even a day of work can threaten someone’s livelihood in the manner that it does. But, it is a reality for so many people.
As they mourn, I am asking that you please consider donating to help offset some of their immediate financial needs.
Co-organizers (2)
Keda Hall
Organizer
Dallas, TX
De'Armanoryea Hall
Co-organizer