Kelley Benham on 'Never Let Go'
 
Wednesday December 19, 2012
12:24
Kelley Benham: 
Hi, this is Kelley Benham. We're ready to start our live chat. Welcome, everyone.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:24 Kelley Benham
12:25
[Comment From Maggie BeaumontMaggie Beaumont: ] 
Thanks for sharing your story of the miraculous journey of your daughter, Juniper. God Bless you and Tom & his sons with many years of joy with your "June Bug".
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:25 Maggie Beaumont
12:26
Kelley Benham: 
Thank you so much!
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:26 Kelley Benham
12:27
Kelley Benham: 
Let me start by saying the reaction has been tremendous. I want to thank everyone who read along and shared the story.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:27 Kelley Benham
12:27
Kelley Benham: 
For all of you who called in distress after Parts 1 and 2, I'm sorry I couldn't give away the ending.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:27 Kelley Benham
12:28
[Comment From Maggie BeaumontMaggie Beaumont: ] 
I did see the pictures that you mentioned yesterday and I hope that in the future you will keep sharing them periodically, so we can continue to watch her grow.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:28 Maggie Beaumont
12:28
Kelley Benham: 
Thanks. I'll try to keep everyone updated in a way that also allows Juniper to grow up without getting a big head.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:28 Kelley Benham
12:28
[Comment From HeatherHeather: ] 
I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your story. Although, I must admit I cheated and looked you up on facebook after reading the third part. I just couldn't wait to see how she was doing. My friend just called yesterday to let me know her baby boy was just born at 27 weeks, he is only 2pds 5oz. I have forwarded your story to her to read when she has time.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:28 Heather
12:29
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
How did you decide to tell your story? Wasn't it hard to relive that?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:29 Guest
12:29
Kelley Benham: 
Ha! I tried to make my photos private so people couldn't cheat. Oh well. I will be thinking of your friend. The odds at 27 weeks are pretty good. My cousin had twins at 26 weeks and they're doing great.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:29 Kelley Benham
12:30
Kelley Benham: 
In answer to whether it was hard telling the story: of course it was. There were times I literally cried over my keyboard. But I was reliving the story anyway. Every time I hold my daughter I relive it. So I wanted to capture the experience of what we went through so other people could learn from it. I also wanted to capture it for Juniper.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:30 Kelley Benham
12:30
[Comment From ChristinaChristina: ] 
You are such a talented writer. And to speak of your own story is a true gift. Thank you. Do you think this is the best story you've ever written?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:30 Christina
12:31
Kelley Benham: 
Well, up to now I've been best known for a story about a rooster who attacked a toddler. Google "Rockadoodle Two" and you'll find it. So I guess I'm happy to have a different story to talk about.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:31 Kelley Benham
12:32
Kelley Benham: 
I actually hope that this is the best story I've ever written, because it is the most important.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:32 Kelley Benham
12:32
[Comment From ChristinaChristina: ] 
LOL
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:32 Christina
12:32
[Comment From Maggie BeaumontMaggie Beaumont: ] 
This has nothing to do with Juniper, but tell Tom I still remember with my mouth watering the taste of his wonderful almond cresent cookies.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:32 Maggie Beaumont
12:32
Kelley Benham: 
He'll be so pleased.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:32 Kelley Benham
12:33
[Comment From Brad BBrad B: ] 
Hey Kelley! GREAT series... I know it's going to be a great Christmas and even better New Year for you, Tom and Junebug! :>))
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:33 Brad B
12:34
Kelley Benham: 
Thank you so much! It will be a great Christmas. Juniper will probably destroy the tree and eat one of the ornaments, but that's okay.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:34 Kelley Benham
12:34
[Comment From TinaTina: ] 
Kelley, I wanted to let you know that I posted your stories on Facebook and got so much response from my friends. It went viral.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:34 Tina
12:35
Kelley Benham: 
Wow Tina, thanks! I'm so thrilled with all the response I've been getting. I have had people crying into my voice mail, and I feel a little bad about that. But a lot of moms of preemies tell me the story has really helped, and that's really rewarding.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:35 Kelley Benham
12:35
[Comment From guestguest: ] 
Why did you decide to write this story now, instead of a couple years down the road when Juniper is older?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:35 guest
12:36
Kelley Benham: 
I've also gotten several emails from micropreemies who are now grown, telling me they turned out great.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:36 Kelley Benham
12:36
Kelley Benham: 
The technology and science change so fast, I thought the story might not have a very long shelf life. I wanted to write it while it was still relevant, because I really wanted readers to learn from it.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:36 Kelley Benham
12:36
[Comment From BetsyBetsy: ] 
HI Kelley, Thanks so much for your story. My daughter was only born a week early, but she tried to "accessorize" with her cord and had breathing problems. The people who work in the NICU truly are special, and this brought it back to me.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:36 Betsy
12:38
Kelley Benham: 
The NICU is an amazing place, and the people who work there are wonderful. I can't imagine dealing with everything they see in a day, and with making the kinds of decisions they have to make. They became like family to us.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:38 Kelley Benham
12:38
[Comment From ChristinaChristina: ] 
What has been the reaction to the story? By people, health care providers, and others?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:38 Christina
12:39
Kelley Benham: 
It has all been overwhelming and validating. The doctors tell me that I was able to capture what the NICU is really like, that I got it right, and as a journalist that means a lot to me, because I did work very hard in reporting the story to get it exactly right. They also say that it has allowed them to see what the experience is like from a parent's perspective.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:39 Kelley Benham
12:40
[Comment From TinaTina: ] 
Will you tell Juniper all the details when she's old enough to understand?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:40 Tina
12:40
Kelley Benham: 
Of course. This is her story more than anything else. She carries the scars. She needs to know where they came from, what she went through, how strong she was from her first day.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:40 Kelley Benham
12:41
[Comment From JeaneJeane: ] 
Juniper is a gift from God, Kelley. How precious she is.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:41 Jeane
12:41
Kelley Benham: 
Thanks Jeane. We think she's pretty great.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:41 Kelley Benham
12:41
[Comment From RobinRobin: ] 
I'm the mom of a 30 weeker (now 7) who was very very sick at birth. I think your story is great in that it gives depth to the preemie experience. I still find myself very angry when people act like preemies just need to grow and don't realize that being premature in and of itself is quite painful, not even accounting for all the pricks, pokes, and tubes.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:41 Robin
12:42
Kelley Benham: 
People think they are just like other babies, only smaller. But inside every system in their body is immature, fragile and weak. Even when they get bigger, they aren't just like a full-term kid. They're different.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:42 Kelley Benham
12:42
[Comment From TracyTracy: ] 
Just want to say "Thank You!" once again Kelley. Your story will help countless NICU parents, past, present and future. Also, it is such an inspiration to those of us working in the NICUs everywhere. PRICELESS, just like Junebug!
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:42 Tracy
12:42
Kelley Benham: 
Thanks Tracy!
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:42 Kelley Benham
12:42
[Comment From St Pete MomSt Pete Mom: ] 
I appreciated your blunt honesty. I will say that I have been so fortunate to birth 6 healthy babies. I'm always so practical and calculated about things - especially finances. Reading your article made me really wonder what I would have done were I in the same position. Weighing out the odds, looking at the mounting bills... I'm so thankful that I was never in that position. I'm so glad that the outcome was so positive for you, and I appreciated your honesty in telling ALL of your thoughts, emotions, fears, joys. Really, it's so personal, and to have laid it all out there for masses must have taken a lot of courage, and you must have such care for others to want to share. Thank you.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:42 St Pete Mom
12:44
Kelley Benham: 
I am the same way. Very practical. A situation like this forces you to a whole new place. You never know who you will be in that place until you get there. Fortunately, while Juniper's medical costs were daunting, we had great private insurance that covered it. And even if we hadn't, that wouldn't have been a factor in what kind of care she received from the hospital.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:44 Kelley Benham
12:44
[Comment From ElviaElvia: ] 
Kelley, I loved the series. Thank you for sharing your story. There were so many great and heartbreaking details in each story. How did you keep track of everything? Did you keep a daily journal while Juniper was in the hospital? Also, did you read any books or stories to help you write your own?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:44 Elvia
12:45
Kelley Benham: 
I don't really journal. But I did write down a couple things after I held her the first time and after she had the surgery. My husband took some notes as well. And I pulled a lot of details out of her medical chart, which ran 7,000 pages. I read a lot of memoirs from other people who had been through similar experiences, but I didn't read anything that captured exactly what I wanted to do.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:45 Kelley Benham
12:47
Kelley Benham: 
I approached the story as a journalist, interviewing all the people involved. I checked my memory against the recollections of others, and against all the documents available, from photos and video to medical records. There's a file on tampabay.com/neverletgo that explains all the reporting.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:47 Kelley Benham
12:47
[Comment From guestguest: ] 
Has Juniper shown any signs of knowing she is "different" from other children yet?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:47 guest
12:48
Kelley Benham: 
No, and her differences are not very obvious. She's a little more famous, this week. But that will fade. She's tiny for her age, but that will just make her a better acrobat.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:48 Kelley Benham
12:48
[Comment From MaddieMaddie: ] 
I followed your story and have shared your video and part 2 with nursing students. It is important for them to understand the pathophysiology and even more important the human agony. June Bug is truly a miracle. Thank you for telling us every single detail.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:48 Maddie
12:49
Kelley Benham: 
Thank you so much for sharing the story. I'm really flattered when people who work in hospitals tell me they learned something from it.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:49 Kelley Benham
12:49
[Comment From ChristinaChristina: ] 
Is Juniper sensitive to anything resembling medical equipment?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:49 Christina
12:51
Kelley Benham: 
Great question. She's really not. She sees a lot of doctors for follow ups: pulmonology, gastroenterology, opthamology, etc. She has to get a shot every month during flu season to protect her lungs from RSV. But she doesn't show any sign that she's freaked out. If anything, she's more social than other kids. And she seems to have a very high pain tolerance.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:51 Kelley Benham
12:51
[Comment From SuzanneSuzanne: ] 
Kelley, thank you SO much for sharing an inspiring story that was so personal. I must admit I cheated after reading the first part and googled your family and found when you were on the News Channel 8 telethon to raise money and I saw your precious baby girl and was so relieved it all worked out. You are an amazing writer and I am sure you are a beautiful Mom as well! Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!!
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:51 Suzanne
12:52
Kelley Benham: 
Thank you so much! I knew a few people would cheat and find the telethon video, and I just decided that was okay. But I also heard that a lot of people suffered through the agony of waiting to find out, and I think that was a truer way to experience the story. For us, as we lived it, that agony stretched over six months.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:52 Kelley Benham
12:53
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
how has she been with meeting her developmental milestones, it looks from the photos that she has and is continuing to do wonderfully?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:53 Guest
12:54
Kelley Benham: 
She gets evaluated frequently, and so far she's doing great. She is measured two ways: her actual age of 20 months and her adjusted age of 16 months. Developmentally she should be like a 16 month old because she's 16 months past her due date. So far she's on track for her adjusted age in everything except language and problem solving. In those areas, she's way ahead.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:54 Kelley Benham
12:54
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
When she went home at 6 months what were some of the medical concerns they still had for her? Did you ever feel as though you were just never going to be able to take her home...that must of been the longest 6 months of your lives...
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:54 Guest
12:56
Kelley Benham: 
She went home on Prevacid for reflux. That was her only medication. We were very concerned that she avoid the flu, because lots of preemies end up rehospitalized if they get a bad respiratory infection and their lungs are just not developed enough to handle it. We are still very cautious about the flu so she doesn't really do crowds or play dates.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:56 Kelley Benham
12:56
[Comment From CamillaCamilla: ] 
Thank you for theamazing story kelley! My friend stacy's baby is in the nicu you there so please pray for her hannah!
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:56 Camilla
12:56
Kelley Benham: 
We definitely worried we would never take her home. We tried to make every day count in case the time in the hospital with her was all we had.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:56 Kelley Benham
12:57
Kelley Benham: 
Hannah Banana? I met a baby named Hannah in the NICU.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:57 Kelley Benham
12:57
Kelley Benham: 
Juniper and I actually pray for Hannah every night.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:57 Kelley Benham
12:57
[Comment From AnitaAnita: ] 
I am the mother of premmie twins(born at 30 weeks - 2.9 lbs and 3.6 lbs.) that are now almost 24 years old. Your story brought back so many memories for me (both good and bad). My children had many of the same issues you so eloquently described. I just wanted you to know that it was very moving for me to "relive" some of that. I can assure you that even though you will never forget those experiences, they will be replaced by all the happiness Juniper will bring you. And, despite all the fears that I had and the "what ifs" my children are now adults, they were both National Honor Society students, are both in college My daughter, who was in NICU for 10 weeks, is completing her bachelor's in accounting at UNF and just got married last spring, and my son, who had two major heart surgeries and was in NICU 4 months prior to going home, has one more semester of school to complete his degree in meteorology at Florida Institute of Technology. You have many good days ahead. All the best to you.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:57 Anita
12:58
Kelley Benham: 
Wow thank you so much for sharing that. I love hearing these stories of preemies and how they turn out. Their will and strength are astounding.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:58 Kelley Benham
12:58
[Comment From CamillaCamilla: ] 
Yes hannah banana!!!!! Stacy is a long time friend of mine!
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:58 Camilla
12:59
[Comment From Maggie BeaumontMaggie Beaumont: ] 
Are you keeping a diary now that Juniper has survived those first horribly painful months?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:59 Maggie Beaumont
12:59
Kelley Benham: 
Hannah is in very good hands. She is in the best place she could possibly be.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 12:59 Kelley Benham
1:00
Kelley Benham: 
I still am not much of a diary person. But I do take a ton of photos. I record milestones and funny moments.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:00 Kelley Benham
1:00
[Comment From SarahSarah: ] 
God bless u and ur beautiful daughter
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:00 Sarah
1:00
[Comment From HelenHelen: ] 
What was the worst day or night for you?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:00 Helen
1:00
Kelley Benham: 
Thanks!
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:00 Kelley Benham
1:02
Kelley Benham: 
It's funny we had one "worst day" after another for a while. The first worst day was when Dr. Germain visited and told us the odds, and we had to decide whether to try to save her or let her die. Then the next "worst day" was when her intestine perforated. Then came the day of the surgery, which in retrospect was probably the very worst day of them all.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:02 Kelley Benham
1:03
Kelley Benham: 
When I think about the worst moment, I think about holding her hand and talking to her before the surgery, being so afraid she would not live through it. But that was also a wonderful moment, because her eyes were open and for the first time she was looking right at me. And Tracy let us give her a kiss on her forehead.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:03 Kelley Benham
1:03
Kelley Benham: 
So even inside all the horrible moments, there were amazing moments too. Because I got to be her mom.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:03 Kelley Benham
1:04
[Comment From Crystal ColohanCrystal Colohan : ]
Hi! I am a mother of preemie twins in Virginia Beach, Va. A wonderful writer here, for the Va. Pilot, wrote a story about my girls at their first NICU reunion this summer. When thanking her for the article, she sent me the links to your series. Not on
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:04 
1:05
Kelley Benham: 
Congratulations on your girls. I'm so glad they are doing well!
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:05 Kelley Benham
1:05
Anne Glover: 
Anne Glover here, another Times editor helping with this chat. Kelley has told us of several phone calls and emails she received as the series ran. Kelley, can you share with us some of the ones that stand out for you?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:05 Anne Glover
1:07
Kelley Benham: 
I got one last night that had me sobbing. It was from a former micropreemie who is now 30. She talked about always being the smallest in the class, and always knowing her own story, and how it had shaped her. She was so proud of what a fighter she was. And reading her email, I could imagine Juniper telling a similar story a few decades down the road.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:07 Kelley Benham
1:07
Kelley Benham: 
I also had a lot of calls in the beginning from people demanding to know if Juniper lived or died. They were really in distress about it, and I felt kind of guilty about that.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:07 Kelley Benham
1:07
[Comment From BenBen: ] 
Can I take your baby to the beach?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:07 Ben
1:08
Kelley Benham: 
Yes! But watch her, she likes to dive headfirst into the waved.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:08 Kelley Benham
1:08
Kelley Benham: 
waves
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:08 Kelley Benham
1:08
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
I think that one of the most important things about this article, and your story..was that you brought light to what ACH and the NICU does everyday..and what its like to be a parent down there. Your friends/family try to reassure you, but no one can truly understand the emotions & how your life changes...I was actually a bit upset that more of my friends & family did not read your article..as I too had a baby there, and spent 5 weeks in there..you expressed so many emotions so wonderfully..thank you for sharing your experience..
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:08 Guest
1:09
Kelley Benham: 
It's certainly a world that's impossible to understand unless you are there. If you want to give them all copies of the story and make them read it, I would not object.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:09 Kelley Benham
1:09
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
This is from our FB page: Nancy Stevens Brodhead: Wow, such a amazing series that sparks as many questions as it answers. Thank you for sharing such a personal journey, in such a brilliant and real world way. Out of curiosity, are you planning a book, is there anything you would have done differently, and if the nurse who ignored your insistence that labor was beginning had not done so, might have they been able to stop the progress? Thanks again, and hoping for only good things for your miracle baby.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:09 Guest
1:11
Kelley Benham: 
Tom and I are both writers, and he has written three books, so I would say a book is a real possibility. I don't know what I could have done differently. I wish I had not been so depressed in the beginning. Maybe I could have been there for her even more in the first few days. But I'm grateful my husband was so involved and such a steady presence in our lives.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:11 Kelley Benham
1:12
Kelley Benham: 
As for the nurse at Bayfront, no I don't think it would have made any difference. They had stalled my labor for four weeks already, and we knew it was going to happen soon.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:12 Kelley Benham
1:12
Kelley Benham: 
We had a fantastic experience overall at Bayfront. The doctors there saved our baby's life, and probably mine too.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:12 Kelley Benham
1:12
[Comment From guestguest: ] 
Now that Juniper is out of the hospital, have you returned to work or are you planning to stay home with her?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:12 guest
1:13
Kelley Benham: 
I'm back at work full time. I have a flexible enough schedule that I can take her to her therapy and doctor appointments. She has a fantastic nanny who watches her and two other babies during the day.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:13 Kelley Benham
1:14
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
I saw that what started all of the pre-term labor was placental abruption..( I am pretty sure that is what I read)-- in all your research did you happen to note how many preemies are born due to this..my story was similar, only we had no early signs, he came 1 day before our scheduled induction, and while the numbers make it seem rare...I hear more & more stories where this is happening..just wondering if you have seen & heard the same?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:14 Guest
1:16
Kelley Benham: 
I can't quote statistics on that. I have heard other stories. Mine wasn't a complete abruption, as i understand. It was like a little tear. Fortunately the baby was still getting enough oxygen while she was in the womb.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:16 Kelley Benham
1:16
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
Do you believe that your first few weeks in the NICU made you feel a bit lost? But as time went on and you learned more you kind of felt like a pro -- I found that by the end of our time there we had learned so much..and I constantly wished there had been some kind of "guide" to help parents in the NICU..I believe that would be a great thing for you to do, should you ever want another project like this that is...lol
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:16 Guest
1:19
Kelley Benham: 
I felt totally lost. But also fortunate that Tom and I had so many advantages. We lived very close to the hospital. We didn't have other young kids at home. We were able to get off of work to be there for our baby. We had enough education to understand the chemistry, anatomy, and biology involved. A lot of parents had an even rougher time than we did.
We produced some graphics that were published online with the story that can be used by hospitals and by other parents that explain some of the equipment in the NICU and some of the challenges that preemies face. And at All Children's a photo of Juniper and I is actually on the cover of the parent's guide.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:19 Kelley Benham
1:20
Kelley Benham: 
I think that should read "Juniper and me." Sorry.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:20 Kelley Benham
1:20
Anne Glover: 
Kelley, your writing was so eloquent. So many phrases stick out, but especially this one that I am paraphrasing here: I felt as if I was "peeking into God's pocket." How did that phrase come to you? What did you mean by it?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:20 Anne Glover
1:22
Kelley Benham: 
Juniper was a day or two old and Tom and I were at the hospital, trying to wrap our brain around what we had seen. I was just reflecting on how complete she was, yet how unfinished. She was obviously a real person, but only half-baked. I just said, "It's like looking into God's pocket." And Tom said, half-joking, "That's pretty good honey. Maybe you should write that down."
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:22 Kelley Benham
1:22
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
Do you write a regular column? What future stories are in the works?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:22 Guest
1:23
Kelley Benham: 
No I sure don't. I was a writer here at the Times for several years, but for the past six years or so I've been an editor. I worked on projects like Winter's Tale by John Barry, and For Their Own Good by Ben Montgomery and Waveney Ann Moore. This is the first story I've written in a very long time.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:23 Kelley Benham
1:24
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
Can copies of the article in its entirety be purchased? I saw mention that more photos were to be posted, did this just refer to the that 3rd installment, or are there more photos to be posted?
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:24 Guest
1:25
Kelley Benham: 
Each chapter in the story has a photo gallery with it online. You can see them all at tampabay.com/neverletgo. Part 3 has about 50 photos with it.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:25 Kelley Benham
1:25
Kelley Benham: 
And I know back issues are available from the Times offices. We're discussing whether to do a reprint of the whole series.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:25 Kelley Benham
1:25
[Comment From Crystal ColohanCrystal Colohan: ] 
The staff at our NICU were family and talked to us like family. Our NICU was actually completely moved over to a new hospital during our stay. They were leaning everything just as we were. One thing I wish I had was a support system when we went home. Home was terrifying for months without our support team and monitors. Are there any support systems for parents out of the NICU in Florida? If so, I'd like to share them with parents going through similar situations here in Va.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:25 Crystal Colohan
1:27
Kelley Benham: 
I had help from a program called Early Steps, which provides in-home support to kids with developmental delays or conditions like prematurity that could lead to developmental delays. The NICU at All Children's also runs a follow up clinic where we took Juniper to get checked out. But I found a lot of support in facebook groups and online forums of other micropreemie moms.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:27 Kelley Benham
1:27
[Comment From DonyaDonya: ] 
This was one of the greatest reads ever. As a mom and a journalist, I was riveted. Thank you so much, Kelley.
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:27 Donya
1:28
Kelley Benham: 
Thank you so much Donya!
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:28 Kelley Benham
1:28
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
I think a reprint would be just wonderful...I am sure you have gained many fans here who would just love to read more of your writing..I hope you are able to do more stories in the future..
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:28 Guest
1:28
Kelley Benham: 
Thanks
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:28 Kelley Benham
1:30
Kelley Benham: 
Thanks everyone for joining me here, and for reading the story and sharing your own stories with me. We're going to wrap up our chat now and I'm going to go take Juniper for a stroll around the neighborhood. This has been fun.

Kelley
Wednesday December 19, 2012 1:30 Kelley Benham
1:30
 

 
 
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