By Christel Snelson, of the Seton Wonders Family Team.
Our March of Dimes family team is a bit unique. We're family, just not the kind you usually think of.
Our family was born in the spring of 2006. Each of us gave birth to a baby (or 2) too early that spring.
We found each other in the rocking chairs next to the isolettes and warming beds in our NICU wards; in the hospital elevators; queued up for a turn in the pumping room; sprawled on the waiting room couches during shift changes and in the next seat at the March of Dimes support group meetings.
We found each other and held each others hands through terrifying moments where loss seemed imminent. We celebrated each others joys, the thrill of a gained ounce or reduced oxygen. We spoke medical jargon like trained professionals and parceled each day's schedule according to the NICU's closures.
We celebrated each baby that was finally released to go home, but inwardly, we felt envious and despaired that we'd never be that lucky. After the NICU, many months for some of our family, we battled the isolation of parenting medically fragile children with carefully planned, germaphobic playgroups and nights out for the mothers.
In 2006, during the March for Babies, we were all struggling to survive on the top floor of Seton hospital.
Now, each spring, we memorialize and celebrate our children by walking in the March for Babies.
Our family team is solidified by experiences we wish on no one. Ever.
Our team is built on loss and gain.
We walk for Angels, there are 3.
We walk to raise awareness and celebrate life.
We walk for our victorious and courageous children.
Bassin4Babies will be held Sunday, April, 3, 2011, at Jones Brothers Park in Jonestown, TX. Bass fishing tournament will begin at 7am.
