The Parent Perspective | September

Every month, High Risk Hope would like to highlight ongoing topics, frustrations, or curiosities in your very unique journey with high-risk pregnancy and/or premature birth. Mothers, fathers, family, and friends will touch on their personal tools, tips, and techniques to many of the ongoing concerns you face after having a high-risk pregnancy or a premature infant. Above all, remember that there are no right or wrong answers, only other parents and families figuring it out along the way, just like you. Here is what they have to say this month. Do you have a question you’d like addressed on The Parent Perspective? Email us today!

Sandra Carlin, Issac born at 25 weeks

“November 2017 was the first Tot Trot our family attended. While several families celebrated their child’s NICU graduation, ours was still fighting for his life. We learned about the Tot Trot from a flyer in our son’s NICU. Not knowing our son’s future, who was born at 25 weeks gestation in October, we decided to attend the Tot Trot on his behalf as a way to solidify with the universe the existence of our son. Family flew in from out of town to join us, and we were also met by several friends unexpectedly on the day of the Tot Trot. Just seeing all the preemie babies who made it, especially on the Miracle Mile, was all the encouragement we needed. Isaac came home after 104 days in the NICU, and the following year his image was part of the Miracle Mile, with the purpose to give hope to those starting this journey. ”

Andrea Bryner, Grayson born at 27 weeks

“Our son Grayson was born at 27 weeks, 3 days after my water broke at 21 weeks 4 days. He was in the NICU for 130 days (4.5 months) and it was a wild ride with many twists and turns. When we were finally released from the hospital, we were home for about 2 weeks before the Tot Trot. Even though Grayson was still on oxygen, we went and were so glad we did. We were able to reconnect with Grayson’s primary night nurse, Brandi, and his primary neonatologist, Dr. Vargas. Our family was able to see other kids who were preemies, running and playing around the Tot Trot, and it gave us continued hope Grayson will one day be following in their footsteps. To see all of the former NICU babies so happy and healthy made our hearts full. Thank you, HRH, for making this event happen. We can’t wait until this year!”

Jennifer Fabian, John Paul born at 33 weeks

“Attending the Tot Trot to me has changed over the past couple of years.  Our first attendance, in 2017, our son was 7 months old.  At that time, we were still dealing with medical issues and life was not easy.  Attending the Tot Trot at that time gave us hope that things would get better.  In 2018, we had a strong, happy, healthy boy and being there meant giving other people hope.  We had been through the worst of it and it was our turn to show new parents things can and will get better.  We had the proof.  Over the past few years we have been very successful with fundraising for HRH, I volunteered for the race committee in 2018 and put together a great team of friends and family.  HRH has, and always will have, a special place in our hearts.  We are looking forward to this year’s Tot Trot!”

Holly Stallings, Henry born at 34 weeks

“We are so thankful for our little miracle, Henry (aka Hank), who made us parents.  An unconventional pregnancy that resulted in hospital bedrest and a NICU stint for our son introduced us to High Risk Hope.  Though our support system was strong, we did not know anyone who had experienced these unforeseen circumstances before and wished we had someone to rely on for advice, guidance, and perspective. We knew once our son was healthy, we wanted to join a community that provided just that. High Risk Hope and the Tot Trot have embraced our family and welcomed us into their community with open arms.  This year we will participate for the second year as team ‘HANK You Very Much’ to honor and celebrate our superhero.  We have invited our friends and family to join us in raising money for this cause that is so close to our hearts and we are working hard to be the top fundraising team two years in a row! The Tot Trot truly is a fun event for the whole family.  I invite you to join my family and the many others as we #FightForPreemies! “

Register for the 7th Annual High Risk Hope Tot Trot presented by Jersey Mike’s Subs today! Click here.