Help Support Juniper Pearl
Donation protected
Birthing a New Kind of Dream
The day we met Juniper Pearl
Norah and Michael’s journey into parenthood started out like any other. There was excitement over first kicks, conversations about what the baby may look or be like. There were the fun decisions like discussing what they should name her. Along with all of these things there were also the little births of dreams. The trips they would take, the shows they hoped she got to see, the holidays she would get to spend surrounded by loved ones. These are the dreams all of us parents have for and about our children.
Norah’s pregnancy was an uncomplicated one. She felt well and took great care of herself. Her baby passed all of the routine tests they do during pregnancy. Even throughout labor that little baby looked perfect on the monitor. It was a long and challenging labor and delivery, but mom and baby were great throughout. After many hours Norah gave the final push that brought Juniper out into the world and for one brief moment pure joy filled the air.
Just as quickly as that sensation entered the room, it left. It was almost as if someone had sucked the air right out of the room. Something was wrong. Juniper never started breathing. The doctor stimulated her, suctioned her repeatedly and then called for the pediatricians. They came in and continued to work on Juniper as everyone else could only stand by, hoping, praying, pleading. After several minutes Juniper was held up for Norah and Michael to see as she was rushed to the door and into the NICU.
For the next couple of hours Norah and Michael sat in relative silence and waited. Every time footsteps were heard in the hall or a creak was heard their eyes snapped to the door. Who would come in and what would they say? Would Juniper be with them? Every option played out in their mind. No one said anything though. It was too terrifying, as if saying something would jinx the outcome.
After over two hours like this the neonatologist on duty finally came into the room to give an update. Juniper was alive, but she had sustained a significant brain injury. At some point Juniper was deprived of oxygen and her initial brain mapping didn’t look good. At that point they couldn’t say whether Juniper would survive or not. She was showing signs of seizures. They were in the process of putting a cooling cap on her to slow the brain damage and hopefully stop it from becoming more wide spread. The road ahead would be long and bumpy and it was possible Juniper wouldn’t survive.
Juniper was born just over one month ago. Despite having the deck stacked against her she has been a champion little baby. She is making strides and improving daily. She is now breathing on her own and is even starting to figure out how to coordinate her suck, swallow and breathing reflexes. She is beginning to take in food from a bottle, though many of her feedings are taking place through a tube that was surgically placed into her stomach. The hope is that soon she will be able to begin to breastfeed. She is now able to leave the NICU and go home as she has become much more stable.
All of this is such wonderful news, but we also have to remember that Juniper has many challenges ahead of her. She will need around the clock care, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and much more. In order to facilitate all of this care Juniper will have to have all hands on deck for some time. I am writing on behalf of Norah and Michael to ask for your support. I would like to be able to raise enough money that Norah and Michael will not have to worry about affording their living expenses or any additional health care costs not covered by health insurance for the next year. Their bills are a lot for one person to carry, but I just know if we all band together and contribute what we can that we can carry them through this.
I want to say one special thing about both Michael and Norah. They are two of the most positive, loving, gentle and kind people I have ever met. They are deeply strong and committed to caring for Juniper, fully and personally. Throughout this process a new kind of dream has been born. One where Juniper is home, stable and thriving as best as she can. One where her world is enriched and filled with love.
Please help me support them so that they can be Juniper’s primary care givers during this challenging time. Donate what you can, share our page, and send your kind words of support. I know Norah and Michael will be deeply grateful and moved by it all. I will too.
Thank you with all of my heart.
The day we met Juniper Pearl
Norah and Michael’s journey into parenthood started out like any other. There was excitement over first kicks, conversations about what the baby may look or be like. There were the fun decisions like discussing what they should name her. Along with all of these things there were also the little births of dreams. The trips they would take, the shows they hoped she got to see, the holidays she would get to spend surrounded by loved ones. These are the dreams all of us parents have for and about our children.
Norah’s pregnancy was an uncomplicated one. She felt well and took great care of herself. Her baby passed all of the routine tests they do during pregnancy. Even throughout labor that little baby looked perfect on the monitor. It was a long and challenging labor and delivery, but mom and baby were great throughout. After many hours Norah gave the final push that brought Juniper out into the world and for one brief moment pure joy filled the air.
Just as quickly as that sensation entered the room, it left. It was almost as if someone had sucked the air right out of the room. Something was wrong. Juniper never started breathing. The doctor stimulated her, suctioned her repeatedly and then called for the pediatricians. They came in and continued to work on Juniper as everyone else could only stand by, hoping, praying, pleading. After several minutes Juniper was held up for Norah and Michael to see as she was rushed to the door and into the NICU.
For the next couple of hours Norah and Michael sat in relative silence and waited. Every time footsteps were heard in the hall or a creak was heard their eyes snapped to the door. Who would come in and what would they say? Would Juniper be with them? Every option played out in their mind. No one said anything though. It was too terrifying, as if saying something would jinx the outcome.
After over two hours like this the neonatologist on duty finally came into the room to give an update. Juniper was alive, but she had sustained a significant brain injury. At some point Juniper was deprived of oxygen and her initial brain mapping didn’t look good. At that point they couldn’t say whether Juniper would survive or not. She was showing signs of seizures. They were in the process of putting a cooling cap on her to slow the brain damage and hopefully stop it from becoming more wide spread. The road ahead would be long and bumpy and it was possible Juniper wouldn’t survive.
Juniper was born just over one month ago. Despite having the deck stacked against her she has been a champion little baby. She is making strides and improving daily. She is now breathing on her own and is even starting to figure out how to coordinate her suck, swallow and breathing reflexes. She is beginning to take in food from a bottle, though many of her feedings are taking place through a tube that was surgically placed into her stomach. The hope is that soon she will be able to begin to breastfeed. She is now able to leave the NICU and go home as she has become much more stable.
All of this is such wonderful news, but we also have to remember that Juniper has many challenges ahead of her. She will need around the clock care, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and much more. In order to facilitate all of this care Juniper will have to have all hands on deck for some time. I am writing on behalf of Norah and Michael to ask for your support. I would like to be able to raise enough money that Norah and Michael will not have to worry about affording their living expenses or any additional health care costs not covered by health insurance for the next year. Their bills are a lot for one person to carry, but I just know if we all band together and contribute what we can that we can carry them through this.
I want to say one special thing about both Michael and Norah. They are two of the most positive, loving, gentle and kind people I have ever met. They are deeply strong and committed to caring for Juniper, fully and personally. Throughout this process a new kind of dream has been born. One where Juniper is home, stable and thriving as best as she can. One where her world is enriched and filled with love.
Please help me support them so that they can be Juniper’s primary care givers during this challenging time. Donate what you can, share our page, and send your kind words of support. I know Norah and Michael will be deeply grateful and moved by it all. I will too.
Thank you with all of my heart.
Organizer and beneficiary
Emilie Adams
Organizer
New York, NY
Norah Roderick
Beneficiary