New York (Greater)

Hi everyone,

I'm still trying to learn my way around this site but thought it would be nice to check out what was happening locally. I'm from NHP (western nassau county). I delivered Sophia by c-section at Winthrop Univeristy Hospital at 32 weeks. She was just 3lb, 12oz. Thankfully, she only had to spend 3 weeks in the NICU and has no effects of prematurity. She's a healthy 27 month old now.

Any more LIers out there?

Hello, my name is Irene Sais-Maiello and I work for the March of Dimes in the Staten Island Division of the New York State Chapter.

My husband and I are parents of a two year old boy name Jake. Jake was born at 29 weeks, weighing 2lbs, 12 ozs., while on vacation in Arizona. I had a ruptured membrane at 27 1/2 weeks that caused my water to break as the plane landed in Phoenix. From the airport I was taken to Banner Good Samaritan Hospital (BGSH) in Phoenix. That is were I remained until Jake's birth at 29 weeks by c-section. Jake was immediately transferred to a connecting wing of (BGSH), Phoenix Children's Hospital where he remained in the NICU for 60 days. During this time, we were very fortunate to become friendly with the some of the doctors and nurses at both hospitals along with the Phoenix Fire Department; them being the only people we knew in Arizona. We are also very grateful for all our friends and family who flew from New York to come visit us.

Jake is currently thriving and has overcome most of his prematurity issues, but continues to receive Early Intervention through New York State for Physical and Occupational Therapy. Of course the doctors could not tell us why my membrane ruptured and there is a chance that it can happen again. That is why the research that the March of Dimes supports is so important.

As I was searching through the Share site I noticed that there were not a lot of Staten Islanders who were currently posting. 1 in 12 babies on Staten Island are born prematurely; before 37 weeks of gestation, I know you are out there. “Share Your Story” with us and invite other islanders who have had similar experiences.

On Sunday, April 29th, 2007, WalkAmerica will be taking place on Staten Island and we can use your support whether it means volunteering, walking, and/or forming a Family Team, or by sponsoring a walker. For those who are hesitant to walk because of the distance, please note that length of the Walk has been shortened from 10 miles to 5 miles.

Staten Island is a small island where everybody knows somebody who has been affected by a premature birth, so help us get the word out.

Should you wish to volunteer or need information regarding WalkAmerica, please do not hesitate to contact me at (718) 981-3000.

I look forward to hearing from you!!

Irene

Hi There!!!
Welcome to Share!!! Glad to hear that Sophia is doing well! I'm from Babylon and had my son Alex at 28 weeks gestation at Good Sam in West Islip.
We're trying to start a local parent support group - email me if you're interested
Donna

Hi! It's good to know that Sophia is doing great. My MISTER was born at Mt.Sinai in manhattan and they were wonderful. Mister is doing as good as expected considering his ailments. Mister is small for his age with a few developmental delays but he is a happy 6 month old and thats all I can ask for. Just continue to be Sophia's biggest fan and she will blossom into such a beautiful flower. I don't care what doctors tell me Mister won't be able to do I know with a lot of TLC he will do all that and more cuz I have faith that my child will prosper and yours will too.