Virtua Voorhees recently unveiled its wall of hope, a touching portrait gallery of NICU patients who are now thriving toddlers, kids and teens.
Located outside the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the gallery features 28 then-and-now photo sets designed to inspire current families in the unit. The Sept. 25 unveling brought together doctors, nurses and families. Many of the children in the gallery faced significant challenges at birth, with some weighing as little as 1 pound and others spending months in the hospital after birth.
“In a time of uncertainty, the wall of photos stands as a powerful reminder: Though the journey may be difficult, the outcome can be extraordinary,” noted Renee Smith, nursing director of the NICU. “It’s not just about surviving; it’s about thriving.
“Every photo is a celebration of that.”
Among the families on hand at the unveiling was Erika Perez, whose daughter Camila spent 91 days in the NICU after being born at just 29 weeks.
“I was a first-time mom,” recalled Perez, whose child is now 9. “I saw how well they cared for her, and they taught me how to care for her.”
“I have kept in touch with many of the staff,” she added, “so they have had the opportunity to see Camila grow. I want (her) to know them because they made such a difference in our lives.”
Perez also emphasized the importance of emotional support for NICU parents.
“You need to know that all of your feelings are OK,” she explained. “Happy one moment, sad the next. All emotions are complicated and completely acceptable.”
Perez encourages other parents to participate in hospital support sessions and lean on the guidance of NICU staff and other families. She also reflected on the photo gallery
“The wall is a reminder that there is a future ahead,” she observed. “Even the babies with the most complicated stays in the NICU can get through it and live phenomenal lives. Camila’s story is important, and the NICU is an important part of who she is today.”
“I want to honor what she went through,” Perez contined. “She fought her battle in the NICU and she continues to be brave. Even if it takes her 10 times the effort to accomplish a task, she never gives up.
“She deserves to have this attention focused on her now.”
For more information about Virtua’s NICU, visit virtua.org.
