I was born 14 weeks early at 26 weeks and 3 days gestational age after my mom's water broke unexpectedly at 3:00 am, and I wasn't a happy camper without my fluid to float around in. 

I spent 103 days in the Children's NICU in Minneapolis. According to the Social Security Administration, that was MY official first residence. How many babies can say they had their own place for 103 days before moving in with mom and dad? Although having my own place sounds like a great thing, in those first 103 days of my life, I required some invasive medical interventions to help get me to be the healthy and strong boy I am today. 

Some of the things necessary were:

*JET and conventional ventilator

*Chest tube for a pneumothorax

*TPN nutrition until I could take feedings of breast milk 

*CPAP 

*High and low flow nasal cannula (occasionally with oxygen support)

*Feeding tube

*Caffiene to minimize apnea spells

*A warm incubator (a.k.a. my spaceship)

*Waiting 10 days for mommy to hold me and 11 for daddy to hold me for the first time

*countless other necessitites for me and for my parents 

And, all of these, along with the amazing, loving nurses and doctors, requires funding and support. So, please consider supporting my cause and giving back to the very place that ensured not only that I survived, but that I thrive. 

Thank you for your consideration, and please know that any amount helps.