Hello everyone! Just wanted to share my story with you guys.

I am currently 17 years years old and I was born in Virginia on a Naval Base at 25 weeks. I weighed 1 pound.

(The placenta tore away from the lining of the uterus causing me to be born early.)

After almost 4 months in the NICU I was able to go home on a heart monitor & a oxygen tank. During those four months in the NICU I went cold blue three times. After 3 days at home—- I went code blue again and was back in the hospital for my health. I stayed for a little longer until I was able to regain strength.

Now, after all the doctor said I wouldn’t be able to do- I did. Thankfully the only issues I have are asthma and some bone and joint issues. Which, is nothing compared to what they were predicting.

Hopefully this gives moms (like myself) hope that even if their child is born early doesn’t always mean they will have issues!! Don’t give up!!

Attached are some photos of me. They said I wasn’t going to be able to walk..much less run. This was due to how bad my asthma was. In 2nd grade I was running a mile in 6 mins. I am also a swimmer- so I figured I would include some baby pictures of me swimming!!

The baby pictures of me where when I was a little older but still in the hospital. When I was born, my skin was see-through in my eyes were still sealed shut so photos and stuff were not allowed. I was kept in a warm dark room for my health!