Parents of NICU twins Hailey & Emma Need Support

Identical twins Hailey Grace Rodger and Emma Rose Rodger were born 3+ months early, due to a medical emergency. After being diagnosed with both TTTS and a rare form of TTTS called TAPS, to give these beautiful girls the best chance for survival and thriving, both were delivered via c-section at 4:24am on Tuesday, December 7th.

 

 

These are completely random health issues in identical twins, and sometimes happens in fraternal twins as well. Basically the girls were sharing a placenta and the blood flow was uneven between them resulting in different growth rates. Hailey and Emma are fortunate that their conditions were discovered now as sadly a TTTS diagnosis can be fatal.

 

Identical twins Hailey and Emma are not out of the woods yet. It will be a long road to thriving and they will likely be in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for 3+ months. 

 

Mom and dad need to be able to be there with their girls as much as possible which is more difficult for them as they live 2 hours away from the hospital. They live in Ocala, Florida with a chiropractic business in Jacksonville where they were moving to as COVID hit. Due to the girl's condition requiring a certain piece of equipment, they had 2 hospital choices, either Miami or Tampa. Tampa is where the girls are, and not where their parents have any type of support network.

 

 

The unexpected early arrival of their sweet girls is not something the parents are prepared for, or could have even expected.

 

As self-employed chiropractors (for humans and animals including equines), Dr. Philip Rodger and Dr. Angela Boyazis were preparing financially and time-wise for the girls’ birth in March, for everything not covered by insurance.

 

They need those inspired to help, to come together and become part of the larger community supporting them in the ways you can ~ donations, sharing, meals preparation/delivery, prayers, well wishes, blessings, and love.

 

It’s not clear yet what part of the twins’ healthcare costs the parents will be responsible for … but right now, both parents need the space to spend as much time with their girls as they can and are allowed to, to love on them, bond with them, encourage their progress, and spend the time they have now with them.

 

Right now, they have travel costs (to/from Ocala to Tampa, Ocala to Jax, meals, income as they are self-employed and their business was impacted heavily by the pandemic. 

 

Dr. Angela has been the primary income source for their household due to the impacts COVID had. Dr. Philip was let go as so many were, and has been working to build a business in two locations. Having had a c-section, it’s going to be some time before Dr. Angela can work as a chiropractor, whether for humans or animals.

 

 

CAN YOU DONATE and share? Help with a meal (even if you’re out of town)? Pray, send blessings, and well wishes? Contact your local media?

 

These are the type of people who go out of their way to support others. They are the ones usually giving to others, starting with their time and energy. It's very unfamiliar for them to ask for support, and yet for the sake of their girls and their family's future, they are learning how to accept support of those who care about them.

 

Here's just a bit of what they've done for others: Even with their own businesses and livelihoods affected by COVID, this young couple reached out to help support those in their communities. For months, each week they’d put a $100 ‘tab’ on account on various restaurants struggling to stay afloat. Philip and Angela invited others to stop by, use $10 of the tab on their own orders, thus helping bring business to those needing support.

 

Philip would create videos to feature other businesses to help those folks get exposure, and hopefully new clients.

 

They’ve been generous in the offerings they’ve made in their own business … helping those in need, offering neck pillows for free, having wonderful prizes for regular drawings for holidays, etc.

 

 

Mom are dad are looking forward to sharing their lifelong love of animals with their two daughters, Hailey and Emma. Philip is going to be able to share his own experiences of being a twin himself. They have three dogs who are waiting to share their lives with the girls.

 

We just need to support mom and dad being able to spend as much time with their girls. Monies donated will go to ~ cover loss of income, medical costs, travel to be with the girls two hours away, mortgage, and general expenses.

 

There are many ways you can help and if you have another idea, they’d be so grateful ~

 

1. Donate here on GoFundMe

 

2. Share the GoFundMe with others, whether via social media, one-on-one, or contact media

 

3. Sign up to cover a meal. Even if you don’t live nearby, you can pick a date and purchase a gift card for mom and dad to be able to pick up food or have it delivered while they maximize the time they spend with their daughters Hailey and Emma. Please note: There is a separate fund-raising option at this site as it was started immediately when it became obvious mom and dad would need help, starting with meals.

 

4. If you live in the Ocala or Jax areas, schedule a chiropractic appointment for you, your dog, or horse.

 

5. Sign up for their ChiroThin program

 

6. Interested in purchasing a business condo off Southpoint in Jacksonville? Dr. Philip and Dr. Angela have one they are looking to sell as the pandemic hurt their chiropractic business opportunity in Jacksonville, and they’ve decided to remain in Ocala as they expand their animal chiropractic business.

 

7. Send prayers, well wishes, blessings, and ask your friends to as well. Sometimes, it’s just nice to know you’re not alone.

 

8. Any other way you’d like to help.

 

I offered to put together this GoFundMe as I know how to do it, and was inspired to help in this way. As the ‘beneficiary’ of the GoFundMe, all funds will go directly to Philip and Angela Rodger.

 

We will strive to post regular updates as frequently as possible also allowing time for mom and dad to focus on their girls.

 

Philip, Angela, the girls, and the dogs all thank you for however you’re inspired to help.