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Our May 2009 Shining Star- Vicki
Sheriff - 07:14pm Apr 30, 2009 EST
Not all children in the NICU are premature, but that is a common misconception made by many. Vicki Stewart’s goal is to help educate and open the dialogue to include discussion of birth defects. “Why is it okay to talk about prematurity, but not birth defects?” she asks. Her blog helps us understand her daughter’s difficult beginning, and Ansley’s tremendous strides over the past fourteen months. I am proud to announce Vicki (Vicki Stewart), author of Ansley’s TE Fistula Story as this month’s Shining Star.
Vicki’s daughter, Ansley Elizabeth, was born with a TE Fistula, esophageal artesia and one kidney. According to Stuart’s blog,”A TE fistula is an abnormal connection between the trachea and the esophagus. An esophageal atresia is a defect in which the esophagus is not connected to the stomach at all.”
Ansley’s NICU stay was a challenging one that included intubation, transfusions and a chest tube. The cause of her condition is unknown and randomly happens in one out of every four-five thousand births. Ansley spent seven weeks in the NICU and underwent two surgeries. Looking at her now, it is hard to imagine she had such a difficult start. Ansley is a beautiful, bright eyed little girl whose energy transcends photographs.
Stewart reminds families that birth defects can happen to anyone. For this reason, she passionately supports the March of Dimes and their efforts to research and prevent birth defects, prematurity and infant mortality.
Stewart recently participated in the March for Babies with her own family team; they raised $1650 for the MOD. It is safe to say that these may be some of the first steps the Stewarts are taking towards making a major difference in the lives of families coping with birth defects. The dialogue is open and the Stewarts are inspiring others to listen up, open up, start talking and start walking!
In appreciation of her hard work and dedication to the mission, Vicki will receive a specially engraved “Share Your Story” watch courtesy of HourPower watches. If you would like more information on these beautiful watches or would like to order your own, please check out their website HourPower Watches.
Not all children in the NICU are premature, but that is a common misconception made by many. Vicki Stewart’s goal is to help educate and open the dialogue to include discussion of birth defects. “Why is it okay to talk about prematurity, but not birth defects?” she asks. Her blog helps us understand her daughter’s difficult beginning, and Ansley’s tremendous strides over the past fourteen months. I am proud to announce Vicki (Vicki Stewart), author of Ansley’s TE Fistula Story as this month’s Shining Star.
Vicki’s daughter, Ansley Elizabeth, was born with a TE Fistula, esophageal artesia and one kidney. According to Stuart’s blog,”A TE fistula is an abnormal connection between the trachea and the esophagus. An esophageal atresia is a defect in which the esophagus is not connected to the stomach at all.”
Ansley’s NICU stay was a challenging one that included intubation, transfusions and a chest tube. The cause of her condition is unknown and randomly happens in one out of every four-five thousand births. Ansley spent seven weeks in the NICU and underwent two surgeries. Looking at her now, it is hard to imagine she had such a difficult start. Ansley is a beautiful, bright eyed little girl whose energy transcends photographs.
Stewart reminds families that birth defects can happen to anyone. For this reason, she passionately supports the March of Dimes and their efforts to research and prevent birth defects, prematurity and infant mortality.
Stewart recently participated in the March for Babies with her own family team; they raised $1650 for the MOD. It is safe to say that these may be some of the first steps the Stewarts are taking towards making a major difference in the lives of families coping with birth defects. The dialogue is open and the Stewarts are inspiring others to listen up, open up, start talking and start walking!
In appreciation of her hard work and dedication to the mission, Vicki will receive a specially engraved “Share Your Story” watch courtesy of HourPower watches. If you would like more information on these beautiful watches or would like to order your own, please check out their website HourPower Watches.
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