2011 Ambassador Family

The greatest honor that I can think of (short of being the mother of a preemie) is to tell his story.  Our family has been asked by the Kalamazoo chapter of the March of Dimes to be 2011's Ambassador Family.

What does this mean?  It simply means, I get to tell Gunner's Story.  I get to tell it at the March for Babies event, Signature Chef's Auction, and Prematurity Awareness Events.  The hope is that his story will motivate and inspire people to help the March of Dimes in their mission to help every baby get their full 9 months.

Honestly, my first thought was "are we the best choice?"  Do we deserve such an honor?  Is there another family that had a more inspiring  story (read:  harder NICU road and developmental struggles)?  Really, Gunner is a 33 weeker.  He was for the most part a feeder/grower.  But then I have to remind myself, I will **never discount anyone's experience with prematurity** including my own.

I was quickly reminded that even though Gunner didn't have the hardest road to travel, there were reasons why we may be a great choice:

• I first gave to the MOD when I was 17.  I was working at KMart and March for Babies was called WalkAmerica, I was young and didn't know what the mission was, but it was promoted as a good thing.  I donated in the form of payroll deduction.
• We embody the mission of the March of Dimes, from following to Dr's advice given in routine prenatal care (based on research funded by the March of Dimes) to learning about the possibility that my preterm baby may need surfactant to help his lungs stay inflated (More MOD research at work)
• Gunner could have been a 28 weeker...but I rested in the hospital for 6 weeks, letting him bake longer AND it was MOD research that aided in the treatment of my pPROM
• I planned on doing a walk with each of my pregnancies, because by then March for Babies had a personal meaning.  With Greyson I missed it because of graduation, with Gunner, I missed it because my water broke (more than 3 months too soon)
• As a mom who has been there and an educator who has to talk to people daily, I can do the job, which is speaking from the heart and inspiring forward movement of the mission.

The Mission of the March of Dimes is to make sure every baby has his/her full 9 months.  There is not a day in the womb that is not needed, whether it be an earlier term day or a later term day, every baby needs every day.  Some of the latest research is looking at the consequences of 39 week c-sections.  (39 WEEKS, what I wouldn't have done to get to 39 weeks with Gunner!)  But, again, those last seven days are needed.  So again I remind myself, prematurity is devastating regardless of the gestational age (even though 37 weeks is considered "full term") of the baby.  Any mom who has to leave a baby in the hospital knows that.