In just 4 short days our family once again be walking with Team H and E March for Babies to raise money for the March of Dimes!
It has been over 9 years since our twins arrived way too soon and much too small, yet every day I look at them and still see those babies fighting for their lives in the NICU. I never take their lives for granted, and I am grateful for every day that I get to watch them grow and thrive. They enrich my life, and the lives of everyone who knows and loves them, every day.
We have come so far in the past 9 years. H and E are in third grade, reading chapter books and learning their multiplication tables. E continues to love horseback riding and H has earned her orange senior belt in Choi Kwang Do. Both girls are enjoying another year of Girl Scouts and are realllllly looking forward to summer vacation!
Despite all of the progress they are making and all of the joy that they bring, the long-term effects of their prematurity will always be a part of our lives. E underwent surgery on a paralyzed vocal cord at the end of March and received her second cochlear implant last Monday. This makes a total of 12 surgeries between the two of them. E also completed 2 weeks of intensive PT at EuroPeds in February, and we are planning a 4 week session of conductive education this summer in Grand Rapids. It never gets any easier watching them go through so much.
I am thankful for advances in neonatal care that made our girls' lives possible 9 years ago. I hope that with continued research into causes and prevention of pre-term labor, as well as improved treatment options for those born too soon, fewer babies will face the long-term consequences of such an early birth.
With the help of our family, friends, and online supporters, Team H and E has already raised over $34,000 for the March of Dimes. We hope to continue our tradition of being one of the top family teams in our region and we are setting our sights high! Please visit our page to make a donation and to assist us in achieving our goal of helping to save babies!
Thank you so much for you support in our fund raising efforts over the years, and thank you in advance for supporting Team H and E as we walk this year!
Thank you all so much for your kindness and support,
B, J, H, E and V!
