Child's Birth Year
2007

State/Province/Territory
Arizona

NICU Hospital for my journey
Phoenix Children’s Hospital

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Antonio was born at 25 weeks on March 2007, he weighed only 2lbs and was Air Vacced to Phoenix Children’s Hospital right after he was born where he spent the first 3 months of his life. Antonio underwent a PDA Ligation and double hernia surgery. We almost lost him a few times due to complications but he was and still is a fighter. Antonio was released after 3 months with Oxygen and an Apnea monitor. Early on he was diagnosed with Severe Developmental Delays and after 3 years he was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. Since second grade Antonio has attended one of the 1st Autism schools in Phoenix, he is a healthy 6’4' tall young man who loves to play Basketball and has decided he will graduate with his Class of 2025.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
We are very proud of our NICU graduate! Our son has come a long way from a 2lb baby boy to a handsome and Athletic 6’4' young man who is now 18 years old and set to Graduate High School this month. After Graduation he will be going into a work program at his school, Arizona Autism Charter School.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
2lbs

Weeks Gestation
25 weeks

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Number of Days, Months, or Years)
3 months