“Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind — or forgotten.”

-Lilo Pelekai, Lilo & Stitch

Ohana of the Neonatal Womb met on April 30, 2016 in Seattle, WA. to raise funds, celebrate life, and support infant health at the March of Dimes (A fighting chance for every baby) of Greater Puget Sound March for Babies. The colorful array of bodies, personalities and connections created a kaleidoscope of activity until the energies moved forward in an organized pattern, merrily streaming into and along the sunlit route. The Neonatal Womb was well represented by families, professional care providers and related staff, NICU babies and grads, Community and Corporate supporters. My heart was happy to meet other NICU Grads from a variety of ages. In the true spirit of Ohana, symbolically no member of the Neonatal Womb was unrepresented or left behind. Participants were gifted with the rare opportunity to gather and connect socially within a beautiful urban nature environment to enjoy each other and the universe we share. Thank you for this gift March of Dimes! http://www.marchofdimes.org/index.aspx

SHOUT OUT to NICU parent supporters Seattle Parents of Preemies who provided us with the inspiration and materials to create this Neonatal Womb Warriors sign at the event! “About” Seattle Parents of Preemies states “Welcome to Seattle Parents of Preemies (SPP)! We are a parent-led support group for NICU and preemie families located in the Seattle and Eastside areas. SPP meets twice monthly (Swedish First Hill and Evergreen Health in Kirkland) to support to our members and provide information relevant to preemie families”. The group was welcoming, loving and engaging as we entered their booth at the event. NICU parents, please see their upcoming events at http://www.seattlepreemies.com/

Warriors! Interested in exploring how we might better promote the health and well-being of the next generation? Curious about Fetal Origins research? You might want to catch the wave of new science exploration presented in this TED talk below!

 ALOHA

Author: Kathy Papac and Kathryn (Kat) Campos

Kathryn (Kat) Campos: Hello, I am a former 24 week gestation micro-preemie. I lost my twin brother Cruz at birth and encountered open heart surgery with no anesthesia at 3 weeks old weighing 1lb 3oz/0.58kg. I served on the University of Washington Medical Center Advisory Board Neonatal ICU Council from 2013 to 2015. I am passionate about assisting and supporting our Global NICU Community. If your a Preterm Birth/NICU Survivor this blog is dedicated to you, your family, and all members of the NICU Community. Together lets support other Preemie Survivors, Preemies, Preemie families, Preemie Community, Neonatal and related Staff, Providers, Professionals and Facilities. We ALL have stories to share and preemie journeys to help empower! Kathy Papac: Preemie Mom of surviving (Kathryn) and a deceased (Cruz) 24 week gestation twins. Neonatal Womb journeyer, counselor/legal expert with an MA certificate in Spirituality, Health and Medicine from Bastyr University. Passionate Global Community participant. Our goal is to recognize, honor and empower the Neonatal Womb community and shine light upon the presence and potentiality of the preterm birth survivors as vital community participants. View all posts by Kathy Papac and Kathryn (Kat) Campos