Part of the application process is an autobiographical essay. I wrote my essay about a year ago and it was one of the most difficult things I had to do that year. A lot of my inspiration was my relationship with Aidan Lambo, one of the children I babysat starting in high school. Aidan was born May 30, 2004 and he was premature. While he was in the NICU I watched his three older brothers. Aidan's heart ventricles were reversed, but after surgery in the NICU and some time for a miracle, Aidan came home. This happened the summer of my Junior year. I helped raise that little boy over the next several years. My experience with Aidan brought me to John and Eleanor while I was in DC.
Not every preemie has a happy ending. Aidan died at the age of 4 1/2. He suffered a fatal heart attack on January 7, 2009. It is coming up on two years since he has been gone, but each day I remember his loving smile, it never turned off. He is here with me each day inspiring to be more and do more each day.
November is Prematurity Awareness Month
More than half a million babies are born too soon each year.
love you.
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