Miracle Stories:
The Preemie Perspective
By: Samantha Rutter
December 6, 2010
Hello again,
Samantha, 6 weeks old
Before I write anything else, I would like to wish all of you a happy holiday season. The holidays are my favorite time of the year, with all of the traditions and lights as well as the kindness of strangers. Since I was born in September, I spent that Halloween, Thanksgiving and Chanukah in the hospital. My parents had to go to a children’s toy store in Scarsdale to purchase the outfit, which was made for the smallest doll in the store. There were no stores that sold preemie clothes then. The dress was huge on me since I was just barely (or less than) three pounds at that point. Since my dad plays tennis, my mom decided to make me a tennis player for Halloween. Luckily, I came home on December 18th, which was just one day before my actual due date. My parents always joke I was only a day early vs. 3 ½ months early. Here is a picture of me in the Norwalk Hospital NICU.
During that time in the NICU, I was surrounded by these amazing nurses who took great care of me. My parents were there every day, taking shifts and then coming back together. They also were joined by our extended family and lots of friends. Because I was in NICU for Chanukah, my parents decorated my little plastic blanket with dreidels and Jewish stars in anticipation of Chanukah. Mrs. Bauer, who donated the NICU at Norwalk Hospital and visited all the time, had stockings made for all the preemies. When she found out I was Jewish, she had a special blue stocking with a Jewish star made just for me. I still have that blanket and stocking, and even though the ink has faded a bit on the blanket, and the star is a bit bent on the stocking, there are still those special reminders of my first holidays.
Samantha today
From that moment, and as I grew up, I learned about the kindness of strangers. When I first heard about Tiny Miracles, one of the first things I thought of was how nice it was that people cared about these little babies and their families. I thought it was an amazing idea, and I wished that my parents could have had something that wonderful to help them. Now that the holiday season is upon us, I’m so thankful for the opportunity to write this column, and to share part of my life with you. And even if you have the idea that there’s no one to help you, or that no one has been in your situation before, I’m letting you know right now that isn’t true. There are always people who love you and want to help, from family and friends, to kind strangers. I hope you all have great holidays, and an amazing New Year.
Until next time…
Samantha
Share your own Miracle Story:
(All fields are required.)
phone (203) 202-9714