World Prematurity Day 2020
Today is World Prematurity Day! It is a special day for my son Will, my wife Brittany, and me.
First, we always acknowledge that Will is only with us because of so many incredible doctors, nurses, RTs, OTs, etc. Their empathy and dedication is far more amazing than their incredible knowledge and skills.
Will has been a source of great laughs and the hugest of smiles.
Will has been a source of streams of tears from fear and frustration.
But Will has proven to be a miracle. The boy who would never breathe on his own flies on planes without oxygen. The boy who would never walk now runs. The boy who would never mainstream is doing well in the Chicago Public School system. He has more “nevers” to overcome. We know that he will do so.
Will has brought more love into our house than our house could ever hope to hold. Love from family, friends, and strangers (including a box of letters from a classmate’s church community…a gesture that we will never forget).
This love has inspired us. We have through Will’s Way Foundation (www.willswayfoundation.us) which is supported by the generosity of so many friends tried to support others who are walking a similar path. We do so with support grants which enable parents to be with their children in the hospital. However, we have heard again and again that although the financial benefit is great, the real benefit is the realization that strangers care and love them. Parents who are struggling to make ends meet value the love more than the monetary grant.
I’m not sure what I wanted to say so forgive the ramble. But I will close by saying the journey has reinforced or taught beliefs for life.
- Love is always the answer.
- It does take a village to thrive.
- If you take away the labels that we too often embrace and proudly wear, then you discover that we are all the same.
- Faith can overcome almost any obstacle.
- Life is simple. We all want the opportunity to live a better life than our parents — and then to enable the same for our children.
- Life is special, is divine, and is to be protected.