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How did Joey's Brigade begin?

How did Joey's Brigade begin?
Teresa preemie - artist of this logo

OUR FORMATION


Joey's Brigade was founded after the births of our micro preemies, Joseph, who weighed 19 oz and was only 24 weeks in gestation at birth and Elly, born 25 oz. at 27 weeks of development. They both arrived during the second trimester of pregnancy but 8 yrs apart.

Though we all suffered through this journey as a family, we each had a different experience. Our daughters, Marie and Teresa, were very young when our first micro preemie was born. Their experiences were of familial instability and uncertainty, along with lengthy travel. I had a long stay at the hospital prior to the birth of Joey, causing the girls to think that they had lost their mommy. Marie and Teresa became extremely attached to their dad and were frightened of the possibility of "also" losing him. They could not understand that their daddy was only visiting at the hospital and that mommy would be coming home soon. Once Joey was born, the girls were subjected to long car rides as we traveled an hour each way to see him at the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or experienced the uncertainty of long separations when they didn’t accompany us. It was very apparent that it was a tremendous hardship for these little girls. It didn’t take long to realize that they were also little "victims" of the situation.

When Elly was born, the children had to endure further uncertainties. This time they were older and more capable of understanding the situation. Worries that their parents might never come home were not part of the situation; however, the knowledge that Elly faced serious dangers was indeed their reality. They had to deal with the emotional roller coaster inherent to their sister’s stay in the NICU. They had a more intimate knowledge of the anxiety that swirled about our household as my husband and I tried to handle the day to day existence of life while being consumed by the restlessness for our littlest one.

Although we consciously tried to provide the kids a normal family life during those days, it is impossible to escape the fact that there is nothing normal about being separated from your baby. For my husband and me, the despair associated with the tenuous hold on life that is the micro-preemie’s existence was unbearable at times. There are no words to express how difficult it is to live within the void of uncertainty that is your child's life as his/her health changes from one moment to the next. It is impossible to describe the pain we experienced as we watched our children fight for each breath of life. We had to maintain a moderate level of emotional control while life seemed to be spinning out of control. There is a saying at the NICU, "Never Trust a Preemie". What a wise saying. There are no givens and no certainties in the life of a preemie.

Long trips took a toll on us financially and emotionally. Not being allowed to hold Joey or Elly for weeks after their individual births, and the agony of not being able to be at their bedsides on a daily basis are, perhaps, the most difficult and painful experiences that I have had to endure. However, as we witnessed the hours of life turn into days, days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months, we became strengthened by the love, hope and dedication of the York Hospital NICU staff, along with the bonds that developed with other preemies at this NICU and their loving families. The support and love of our families and friends during this time was also tremendous.

It is the whole of this experience that touches the lives of all who love these tiny babies. Although each NICU case may have unique elements, what we have endured is part of a common daily cycle that happens at every NICU. It is this reality which prompted our family to create the non-profit organization Joey’s Brigade to help preemies and their families on their journey. It is our mission to be of aid to preemies and their families; to offer comfort amidst the confusion.




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Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Elly Rolls the Ball!

MS. Kate and MS. Kelly teach Elly to Roll the Ball.

Elly has fun during PT and Music Therapy. Both services are provided to preemies and other children. Contact your local Early Intervention LIU services for more information.

BABY TALAN





Talan was not a preemie but this little angel has been through a great deal already. He contracted Bacterial Meningitis soon after he was born. As a result of this infection, he spent 2 weeks in the hospital. His Daddy is a soldier fighting for our Country and is not able to be with him right now. Here is an update from his granny Jeannie:

Without all the prayers for baby Talan his journey would have been tougher for him.....he is currently being treated for an upper respiratory infection, and acid reflux, plus he has colic but all of that is treatable, it's his eyesight and hearing after having the meningitis that I pray for .... Todd is being sent home from Iraq early with the Advance Team to help with Talan, which is fine by me - at least he'll be on US soil. Attached are a couple of pictures I took this past Sunday.....Melanie, Kadan and Talan all leave this coming Saturday to go back to Hawaii to meet Todd and settle in once again. I pray to God that all make the trip without incident.


Thank you and God Bless, Jeannie

LET'S PLAY DOLLS!



CAN YO GUESS WHICH IS THE DOLL AND WHICH IS ELLY?


MY FIRST PREEMIE AND LAST PREEMIE PLAYING DOLLS.

ELLY LOVED HER ZACKY!!

HUSH LITTLE BABY.....



NOW THAT'S MORE LIKE IT


JUST ME AND MY.......................ZACKY!!!!!!

IS IT GODZILLA... NO, IT'S JOEY


WOW, LOOK AT JOEY NOW!


Look at Joey now..

Joey is now 8 yrs. old and in 3rd grade. His two passions are King Kong and Godzilla. I am betting on a career in directing for him. :)
Joey has had a long journey during the past 8 yrs. His journey has included being on oxygen for 1 year, 8 ear tubes, 2 major ear reconstructions, PT, OT, and Speech Therapy, Feeding Specialists( no more yeah!!!) and many trips to the pediatric eye and ear specialists.
He is a trooper and loves life. He does not have a care in the world and can be very silly at times.
We are in constant awe and gratitude that our little 15 oz. Miracle Man is doing well.

Elly Opens her eyes Part 2




ELLY OPENS HER EYES!!!!!



GO TO ELLY'S JOUNEY TO SEE MORE OF HER PREEMIE JOURNEY



To contact me Joey's Brigade e-mail



Monday, September 10, 2007

Elly our last preemie was born 8-4-06

Elly was 25 oz. and 13 inches long at 27 weeks when she was born. She was a little older and bigger than her older brother Joey who weighed 19 oz and was only 11 1/2 inches long.

Elly was born with both eyes closed . We delighted to see how one of her eyes opened on this day. How special it was for us to have captured our complete joy and awe!!!

Folly time with Bower



Bower and his mom, Jen, are having some Folly!

Sure looks like fun to me.

WOW! LOOK HOW TIME HAS FLOWN- HERE IS SWEET BOWER NOW 2 YRS. OLD



Bower is all smiles as he eats his yummy food!

Bower will be three years old on January 18th. He was two months early and developed NEC a gastric infection that caused him to code. This near death experience left him with brain damage that has resulted in Cerebral Palsy (spastic quadriplegia), Epilepsy, Blindness, he is primarily tube fed and he has significant cognitive delays. Fortunately, he is under the care of the best doctors in each respective field. The regimen of PT, OT, Speech, Music, Accupuncure, Hydro and Cranio-Sacral Therapies can be overwhelming but he enjoys them all and tries so hard to be the best that he can be. He continues to be happy and with your prayers...healthy! Thanks again for them.

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