This is Iowa: Family knits something special for preemie parents
every year on her birthday, Joanna Strong and her parents celebrate it’s a big day double digits by making a special trip to the hospital. It was definitely a roller coaster ride. Joanna had a bumpy start to life. We went in for a regular 28 week appointment. I thought it was just going to be good news given to us. But quickly the doctor shared with us that he didn’t have any good news for us and that we needed to get downtown immediately. Born at 28 weeks, Joanna weighed just £1.04 ounces. Her foot was like the size of my thumb. For some reason, she had stopped growing, so doctors decided an emergency C section was the only way to save her, she said The good Lord was watching after you today, and I don’t think that your baby would have been here a few more hours If she wasn’t, um, taking care of today. So fragile. Joanna fought for her life in the Nick. You remember one nurse telling me she’s awfully tiny, but she’s also mighty mighty enough to finally go home after 125 days, and they were like, how does it feel to be your last day in the nick? You and I just screamed. I was like, Oh my gosh, Let’s go, Let’s go now, A decade later, Joanna is happy and healthy. It just makes my heart feel warm. Gentle reminders of those first few months. Now hang on the family’s Christmas tree. Joanna’s outfits every day was a different hat. She wasn’t allowed to wear clothing in case something catastrophic happened. They would need quick access to her chest. One day I was just looking through everything, and I was like, Oh, my gosh, this is what I’m supposed to do And with what White? With each stitch, Lindsay weaves together memories of the past and encouragement for the future. I feel like it’s so important to make them feel warm and comfortable in a very difficult time. Maybe like couldn’t hate people. Joanna helps pick the patterns and colors and they deliver them together. So good to see you. Oh, my gosh! Right. There is no better way to think the doctors and nurses who saved you. I still remember you coming in the day she was born, and it was like, Oh, my gosh, what a whirlwind than by giving back to help the babies they’re saving now. We just wanted to share them with you and thank you. I’ve got a few different sizes. It’s a really difficult time for parents, as you know, and yeah, just as simple as this brings a smile at everybody. Yeah, The fact that it comes from somebody that’s been through it just gives hope for sure. That’s fantastic. This is more than just a reunion. She has grown up like a 10 year old girl. You know, it’s always gratifying to see it’s a chance for doctors to see their impact. It’s an emotional roller coaster ride for those parents when they’re in there, and a lot of them go through some really significant difficulties and that sort of emotional impact, especially when it’s this time of year to stays with you. You know a lot of those stories stay with you a long time, and then when you see him, it brings brings it back. Nurse Rachel Evans snapped this photo of Joanna 10 years ago. Today, she’s putting Joanna’s hats on these tiny patients, a simple act of kindness that gives their parents hope it just tears them up a little bit. Um makes them think Oh, yeah. There’s light at the end of the tunnel now. Every year on December 6th, Joanna and her mom spread that light with gratitude. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Totally appreciate everything you guys have done.
This is Iowa: Family knits something special for preemie parents
Updated: 8:19 AM CST Dec 24, 2021
Nobody wants to spend the holidays in the hospital, but plenty of parents have spent their first Christmas as moms and dads there. KCCI’s Laura Terrell reports that’s why one Iowa family has made it a tradition to drop off a basket full of handcrafted joy to the next generation of preemies.More This is Iowa stories.
Nobody wants to spend the holidays in the hospital, but plenty of parents have spent their first Christmas as moms and dads there.
KCCI’s Laura Terrell reports that’s why one Iowa family has made it a tradition to drop off a basket full of handcrafted joy to the next generation of preemies.
