Support Baby Kolsen's Fight for Life

Support Baby Kolsen’s Fight for Life: A Premature Journey of Strength

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I never imagined becoming a mother in a hospital room filled with wires, monitors, and a team of doctors and nurses standing between me and my baby. But this has been my reality since October 14, 2024—the day my son, Kolsen, came into the world 12 weeks early.

Kolsen was born at just 28 weeks due to reduced blood flow through the umbilical artery. I was on bed rest and going to appointments three times a week, praying he’d keep growing—but by September, everything changed. My doctors told me there wasn’t enough flow for him to thrive, and if we didn’t act fast, I might lose him. So I had an emergency c-section, and Kolsen was born weighing barely 1 pound.

Since then, he has never left the hospital. He has been in hospital for 6 months now, it will be 7 months as of next week May 14th.

Kolsen has been fighting since birth.

He's been diagnosed with lung disease and heart disease, and in just a short time, he's already endured three major surgeries:

• A tracheostomy so he can breathe

• A G-tube so he can be fed

• And most recently, a critical heart procedure to open veins leading to his heart- accessed through his groin

He’s never cried- not because he doesn’t want to, but because he physically can’t. With the trach tube, he can’t breathe through his nose or mouth. His body hasn't even had the chance to release that kind of pain.

He can’t smell me. He can’t coo or make sounds. I’ve never heard my baby laugh, cry, or call out for me. But he feels. He grimaces when he’s uncomfortable. He smiles when he sees me. And lately, he’s started recognizing my voice.

Kolsen is medically fragile. He’s not developing like a typical baby—he still isn’t able to roll over or sit up. And even though we’re fighting for the day he can finally come home, when that day comes, it won’t mean the journey is over. It’ll just be the next chapter.

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Why I’m Asking for Help

I returned to work less than two weeks after my emergency c-section because I had bills to pay and another child to care for. I never got maternity leave. I’ve been balancing this while going back and forth to the hospital and trying to keep my head above water.

Now I’m preparing for Kolsen’s future:

• Ongoing medical supplies (for trach cleaning, therapy, feeding tube care)

• Diapers, clothing, and equipment for a baby with special needs

• Home care preparations for a medically fragile child

• Time off from work to care for Kolsen when he is released 

• And unexpected costs that keep coming with every new medical decision

I’m a private person, and it’s hard for me to ask for help. But I’ve realized this is bigger than my pride. This is for Kolsen. And if you’ve followed his journey or seen even one video of him, then you already know how strong he is.

If you can give $25, $50 or whatever’s on your heart, know that it goes straight to Kolsen’s care- and to a mother trying to hold her family together through the unthinkable.

Maybe you're not in a place to give today. That's okay. But don't scroll past this.

Bookmark it. Share it. Text it to someone who can. Add it to your payday list.

This isn't just about donations- it's about showing this mother she's not alone in the fight.

Every act of support- big or small- is a decision to not look away.

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From My Heart to Yours

When you scroll past this and go about your day, I hope you remember Kolsen. I hope you think of his strength when you feel tired- and his mother's when you wonder what survival really looks like.

If you feel moved to help carry this fight, we will carry that love forever.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. And thank you for being part of Kolsen’s journey.

With love,

Nejae & Baby Kolsen

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Even if you can’t donate today, your prayers and shares mean the world. Please help us spread the word.

This GoFundMe was created by a friend who saw how much I was struggling emotionally, physically, and financially while trying to care for Kolsen and my other child. I didn't ask for permission because I was focused on survival- not on social media politics.

I've been transparent about our situation for weeks, months even. If people want to help, I'm grateful, truly, because I've had no maternity leave, no financial cushion, and no consistent help. Every dollar goes to Kolsen's needs and keeping our home stable while we fight for his life. This is not about entitlement- it's about our baby's survival.