Fifteen-month-old Quinton Bowler is a happy and curious child with two very loving parents B次元官网网址� Caitlin Brown and Cameron Bowler.
Looking at the family today, it would be hard to believe that little Quinton was admitted into Victoria General HospitalB次元官网网址檚 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for seven weeks after being born.
B次元官网网址淚t was about 18 weeks into the pregnancy when we found that B次元官网网址� essentially his liver was outside his body,B次元官网网址� said Bowler.
Now, the family has chosen to give back to the NICU with the Little Warriors Library B次元官网网址� a that library parents of children in the NICU can use to read to their little ones. The library is a fitting gift for the family, as both parents read to Quinton every day as a way of bonding.
READ MORE: NICU reunion a precious reminder for families, hospital staff
Bowler said every morning after Quinton has his bottle he points to the book shelf and B次元官网网址渄emands his post-breakfast book.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淗aving a child in the NICU can be an incredibly difficult and stressful time and it can be very difficult to bond with your childB次元官网网址hen theyB次元官网网址檙e in an incubator,B次元官网网址� Bowler said. B次元官网网址淭his is a really good way of getting parents talking and getting that connection early.B次元官网网址�
The NICU at Victoria General Hospital cares for about 530 infants each year with each one staying an average of 15 days in the unit.
Infants in the NICU include premature infants and whose experiencing complications from cardiac, respiratory, ophthalmological or auditory issues.
Over the last five years, donors have funded 65 per cent of the equipment needs in the NICU. About $590,000 from donors have gone towards purchases like incubators, infant warmers, CPAP non-invasive infant ventilators and more.
READ MORE: VIDEO: Premature baby program to expand across B.C.
Mark Blandford, the clinical director at VGH, said the hospital is grateful for the familyB次元官网网址檚 contribution to the NICU.
B次元官网网址淭he donation of books is small on the financial side but huge on the impact side,B次元官网网址� Blandford said. B次元官网网址淥ur sincere thanks to QuintonB次元官网网址檚 family whose generous gift will help bring comfort and hope to infants and their parents/guardians who are fighting alongside their Little Warriors.B次元官网网址�
Blandford noted that the NICU is where many infants start their life and that the library program is a great way to contribute to their beginning and give them the ability to listen to their parents.
B次元官网网址淭here have been many other parents going through this situation,B次元官网网址� Blandford said. B次元官网网址淚 think theyB次元官网网址檒l see if they come through this unit that theyB次元官网网址檙e not alone.B次元官网网址�
shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com
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