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Baby Was Dying So Nurse Put Her In With Twin To Say Goodbye. Then A Miracle Happened…
A split-second decision that changed history…
Baby Was Dying So Nurse Put Her In With Twin To Say Goodbye. Then A Miracle Happened…
Twenty years ago, it wasn’t common for babies in the neo-natal intensive care unit to be handled, much less share an incubator. At the time, the medical community thought premature babies might be too fragile and delicate. But one nurse changed all of that.
A hug that helped change medicine – Premature twins placed together; they’re 17 now
Back in 1995 in Worcester, Mass., Paul Jackson’s twin daughters had been born 12 weeks premature and, although he had been warned that things could quickly take a turn for the worse, the twins seemed to be in stable condition.
Three weeks later, though, one of the twins began to struggle. Barely able to breathe, her heart rate soared, her oxygen level began to drop, and she even turned blue.
One of the NICU nurses, Gayle Kasparian, had an idea to do something that, at the time, was only being practiced in Europe, but hadn’t been done yet in the U.S. She suggested they take the stronger twin, Kyrie, and place her inside the incubator with her sister Brielle. The result was nothing short of a miracle.
Within seconds, Kyrie shifted and put her tiny arm around her sister. Brielle, who was fighting for her life, instantly began to stabilize. Her heart rate and breathing returning to normal.
That sweet moment made history when a newspaper photographer, who just happened to be at the hospital, snapped a picture of the twins’ embrace.
The inspiring image, which showed the healing power of touch, became known as the “Rescuing Hug” and appeared in Life magazine and Reader’s Digest.
Had it not been for that split second decision to place the twins together, doctors may have never discovered the incredible benefits of skin-to-skin contact. Now, premature babies are routinely handled in this way, known as “Kangaroo Care,” some as young as 23 weeks old.
Kyrie and Brielle are all grown up now thanks to that nurse whose idea led to a hug that forever changed the way premature babies are cared for.
…calling him hurtful, cruel names…
Wonderful Story: Dad Heartbroken When 7-Year-Old Son with Special Needs Has Rocks Thrown at Him. Pleads with Parents
Cruel behavior that is left unchecked in young children can lead to permanent habits, and can then snowball into permanent life choices. Children don’t know any better, but adults can help sway this behavior and teach them to know better as they grow up.
Dan Bezzant, from Idaho Falls, Idaho, is a branch manager and avid outdoorsman. Dan is also the very proud father of six children.
Unfortunately, Bezzant and his family learned about the depths of cruelty, ignorance and bullying because of how children, and adults, have reacted to his 7-year-old son, Jackson. Jackson has been the target of merciless and cruel taunting and bullying because of his appearance, as he is afflicted with an appearance-altering disease called Treacher Collins Syndrome.
Treacher Collins Syndrome is a disease that causes the bones of Jackson’s face to remain severely underdeveloped, and the condition has left him nearly deaf, and has also affected his eyesight. He has had several surgeries and will need to have even more as he grows to correct the condition.
Dan Bezzant wrote:
My heart is in pieces right now…my soul feels like it’s ripping from my chest…this beautiful young man my son Jackson has to endure a constant barrage of derogatory comments and ignorance like I’ve never witnessed. He is called ugly and freak and monster on a daily basis by his peers at school. He talks about suicide…he’s not quite 8! He says he has no friends and everyone hates him. Kids throw rocks at him and push him shouting these horrific words…please please take a minute and imagine if this were your child. Take a minute to educate your children about special needs. Talk to them about compassion and love for our fellow man. His condition is called Treacher Collins. Maybe even look it up. He’s endured horrific surgery and has several more in the coming years. Anyway…I could go on…but please educate your children. Please…share this. This shouldn’t be happening…to anyone.
Jackson’s peers and classmates responded to his appearance by calling him hurtful, cruel names like, “monster,” “ugly,” and by throwing rocks at him. Bezzant decided to take to social media to reach out and educate the parents of the bullies when he found out the deep extent of Jackson’s daily experiences and that his little boy had even considered suicide.
On Thursday, Sept. 14, Bezzant wrote a heartfelt plea to the parents of Jackson’s bullies, and his greater community, urging them to teach their children understanding and to learn more about children with special needs. Bezzant’s post has received almost 37,000 shares, 38,000 reactions and over 21,000 comments and counting since its recent posting.
Bezzant starts the piece by writing, “My heart is in pieces right now…my soul feels like it’s ripping from my chest.” He goes on to write about how Jackson has expressed that he has no friends, that he feels he is hated and how people push and harass him.
While the treatment that Jackson received from his peers hurts Bezzant, he is most disturbed by the lack of parental guidance that Jackson’s bullies have received. Bezzant addresses parents in his heartfelt Facebook post by saying, “Take a minute to educate your children about special needs…Talk to them about compassion and love for our fellow man…please educate your children.”
The post has generated a lot of goodwill and sympathy for Jackson’s plight. Facebook poster Kelly Wells wrote, “I’m so sorry your sweet boy has to deal with these cruel bullies….. the parents need to educate their children by example! Kindness & acceptance cost $0 but are worth a million bucks!”
After Bezzant posted his letter on Facebook, he learned that there were two other children in his community that had Treacher Collins Syndrome. All the families hope to meet soon for a get together and to form a special playgroup for the kids.
Bezzant’s pleas about acceptance for children with special needs has reached some people, as he has been assured by several parents and their children that they will look out for Jackson when they are around. To bolster his esteem, Bezzant has also set up a snail mail pen pal address for people to send his son letters, which can be mailed to: Jackson Bezzant, P.O. Box 1563, Idaho Falls, ID, 83403.
The father is content that he has shone a light on bullying, helped his son and tried to enlighten others about special needs children. Bezzant said, “I am receiving constant messages of people sending love and prayers for Jackson…All I am asking is that you teach your children about bullying and making sure that kids understand that people are built differently and God loves us all.”
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