A Morell mother says the generosity of Islanders helped saved her daughter’s life.
Taylor Zippel’s baby was born at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax at 27 weeks. She weighed only one pound, nine ounces and was just 12 inches long.
Emelia Ingram spent four months at the IWK and another month at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital before going home. She’s now six months old and weighs 14 pounds.
Zippel said none of it would have been possible without generous donations made to the IWK or the QEH Foundation. The foundation raises money every year to pay for much needed medical equipment, including expensive ventilators and incubators. One incubator runs about $60,000.
“The people that make the big donations . . . those people bought the equipment that saved her life,’’ Zippel says. “They have incubators that are the perfect temperature to keep them warm because she didn’t wear clothes for almost three months. It keeps them regulated and it can weigh them.’’
Zippel’s mother, Michelle, said it’s amazing what the equipment can do.
“When (Emelia) was first born her skin was so sensitive. You couldn’t touch her,’’ Michelle Zippel said. “It would cause her stress, cause her blood pressure to go up.’’
Bob Sear, chairman of the QEH Foundation, said the Wo-He-Lo Club deserves a lot of the credit.
Their twice-yearly clothing sales, one of which is going on now, generate more than $50,000 annually for the QEH’s nursery and neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU).
Sear added that donations to the QEH make it possible for parents like Taylor Zippel to come home with their babies from the IWK.
“When I say the hospital has some great friends, that’s one that has been outstanding over the years,’’ Sear said. “Islanders are known for how generous they are. We are very fortunate.’’
November is premature baby awareness month. Taylor Zippel hoped her story would serve as a reminder to expectant mothers that it can happen to anybody.
“It can happen even if you’re the healthiest person. I was fine before I got pregnant. I was healthy and my whole pregnancy was just a mess. If it does happen, don’t give up on your baby. There were times…,’’ Taylor said before getting a little tearful. “I thought I’m going to have a few days with her and then I’m going to lose her. That’s what I thought and now she’s 14 pounds.’’
Emelia has had a host of health challenges in her six months. When she was in the NICU, she had four blood transfusions, pneumonia twice, a blood infection, blood clots, calcium in her kidneys, two spinal taps, a chronic lung condition and when she was born both eyes were still fused shut.
“She has come a long way,’’ Michelle said. “We are very grateful.’’
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