NICU Family Advisory Council

This has been on our minds: How can we give back? What can we do to help families experiencing the roller-coaster ride of the NICU? How can we bring parents hope?

When we were in the hospital with Ayla & Zoey it was scary, overwhelming, sad, happy..... we went through varying array of emotions; up, down, up, down......like a jump rope! It would have been comforting to have been able to talk to other parents who had been through the same or similar situation, to know we weren't alone. Because, well.....we didn't know a lot of things- it was like walking into a totally different world. Kinda like having a micro-preemie- we had no idea babies came so incredibly small and the many unique challenges they would face. I recall thinking: "Our babies are a micro-what??"

So during our stay we (mostly Ryan because he's super friendly) began to reach out to other parents inside the NICU and we made several great friends along the way. Then we learned of the St. Luke's Family Advisory Council and got excited.

We liked the idea of volunteering for the St. Luke's Family Advisory Council and also joined the Parent Mentoring Program for those families currently experiencing the NICU journey. It's the least we could do. The NICU is scary and there is so much going on when you have a baby (or two or three) who may be there a while or for a short time- it's overwhelming.

The FAC is made up of parents who have been there, all with a different experience. We visit the NICU and talk to parents, answer their questions, offer insight, be a shoulder to cry on and share experiences. Ryan and I have been "unofficial" parent mentors a few times but now we'll have an actual 'badge' and a cool t-shirt.....whoo-hoo! We are excited to be able to give back and help anyway we can!

This Council is also a great tool for the doctors, nursing staff and hospital administrators- they learn what it's like from a parent's point of view. Our ideas and suggestions are valued and where applicable, changes are made.

Ryan likes to boast that the reason the mothers pumping rooms inside the NICU now have a double-sink is because he filled out a comment card suggesting so and it was sent to the FAC meeting and implemented. Ta-da! Double sinks were installed shorty thereafter. It's ideas and suggestions such as those (from parents) that St. Luke's values.

After all, who knows better how to make a place more comfy than a parent?

We believe Miss Zoey would approve, no?