Holden Come Home

Friends, family, and caring folk, We were truly hoping that we wouldnt need to ask for help. However, we are at a point now where we have to. As some of you know we were recently blessed with twin fraternal babies Audrey and Holden born over 3 months early on June 22. Audrey was born at 1lb 5oz and Holden at 1lb10oz. Every day since has been a challenge for our babies. Audrey contracted a scalded skin staph infection that she survived and we thought that we had survived the worse. Then unexpectedly, Holden caught NEC. A potentially deadly intestinal disease. After four surgeries he lost over half of his small intestines. He now has a g-tube and a broviach for food, yet is so strong and is recovering as best as can be from this setback. Both babies struggle with premature lungs and Holden has especially suffered. Being a preemie and having a delicate respiratory system has required intubation on a ventilator multiple times. All preemie babies need extra care and love during this critical time of their development in order to progress into a regular childhood. This is why my wife Julie and I have decided to move to my hometown of Kalamazoo MI. There we will have a great support system. This includes having a great home, a great job, so much caring family, friends, professional medical care, and a lower cost of living vs. California. This move will afford Julie and I the time we need to care of our little ones. The challenge we are up against is moving Holden across the country from Long Beach, CA to Kalamazoo, MI as it is difficult and expensive. He is going on his sixth month in the hospital. Because he will need additional respiratory support for quite awhile, the only way he can be transferred is through a medical air ambulance with medical staff. He will need to be admitted directly into Bronson children's hospital in Michigan because he is not stable to be discharged at this time. This transfer is a susbstantial cost (Angel Med Flight $22,000) and the insurance has declined to help. We are asking for anyone and everyone's help to get our son, Holden, home to Kalamazoo, MI. Can you donate a few dollars towards this cause? We have set up a gofundme to get Holden home as soon as we can! Thank you so much from Holden's parents, Shannon James Madison and wife Julie Van De Kreeke.