By Gerri Miller
Elmore/Autauga News Staff Writer
Brittany Hill wants Prattville to light up the night green on Sept. 30 in honor of families who have had babies in area Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU).
Hill and her husband Jackson have a 10-year-old son Dawson and two-year-old Elliana, who was born premature and spent 86 days in Baptist Hospital South. Doctors told the couple that Elliana would be born blind, but Hill said God had other plans.
Elliana’s only remaining health problems are a hole in her heart which doctors have said should be okay and an eye disorder call Colobomas. Colobomas is a hole in the pupil of the eye.
“Most people who have it also have some type of genetic disorder,” Hill said. “She has nothing – God just wanted her to have different eyes.” Hill said when Elliana is outside, her eyes appear to be cat-like.
Hill has teamed with other parents to host events in honor of parents and children who have been through NICU experiences September 26-30.
September 26th is a day to honor the lives of little ones lost in the NICU. If you have a NICU angel or know someone who does, these precious babies will be honored with luminary bags that will be set up downtown Prattville at the fountain on the evening of the 26th. If you’d like to honor an NICU angel please send Hill an e-mail at [email protected] to get your luminary remembrance bag made.
Hill and two families who had NICU twins also honored NICU nurses this week. They delivered gifts to nurses at both Baptist East and Baptist South. They will also deliver goodies to the two hospital NICU’s on September 27th.
“The gifts we give them are a small token compared to what they truly deserve,” Hill said. “So thankful to be a part of Project Sweet Peas – Alabama and to be able to make a small difference in the lives of those who walk the NICU journey.”
Project Sweet Peas is a national non-profit organization coordinated by volunteers, who through personal experience have become passionate about providing support to families of premature or sick infants and to those who have been affected by pregnancy and infant loss. It is based in Huntsville.
The project acknowledges the importance of parental involvement in caregiving and decision-making in the NICU, and seeks to promote family-centered care competencies in hospitals nationwide. Care packages, hospital events, peer-to-peer support, financial aid, educational materials, and other Project Sweet Peas services, support the cultural, spiritual, emotional, and financial needs of families as they endure life in the NICU.
September 30th will be light downtown Prattville town green night. “Please join us in lighting up the night green,” Hill said. “If you’re going to light up your house or business, please reach out so that we can have a list of participants and can get pictures. Together we can make a difference.”
NICU families will gather downtown to light up the night. Young children will be given green balloons and older children will get necklaces. The event will be from 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
“It’s growing a lot faster than I thought it would,” Hill said. “Last year we were limited because of COVID. This year, it’s something to come downtown to do to raise awareness for NICU’s.
“The NICU staff- from the doctors to the nurses and respiratory therapists- are the hands and feet of Jesus,” Hill said.
Mayor Bill Gillespie also has signed a proclamation making September 30 NICU Awareness Day. Hill said the city, the probate office and many other downtown businesses will be participating in light downtown green night. The water in the fountain downtown will be green.
Hill said that after these events, she and other parents are starting a Mom’s Support Group that will be open to mothers in Autauga, Elmore and Montgomery counties. “I had a mom reach out to tell me how lonely she was with her child in NICU. We need something local for our mothers,” she said.
Every year 10-15 percent of babies spend time in the NICU. Few families are prepared for the strain that is experienced as they watch their babies fight for their lives.
“We don’t want people to think they are alone,” Hill continued.
