Ryan

Child's Birth Year
2019

State/Province/Territory
New York

NICU Hospital for my journey
Westchester Medical Center- Maria Ferrari Children’s Hospital

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Ryan was premature due to pre-eclampsia. He was discharged home from the NICU still under 5 lbs but much faster than our medical team prepared us for. Since he was born he has endured both physical and neurodevelopmental challenges. After birth he had issues with tolerating feedings, thermoregulation and hyperbilirubinemia. Over the past 6 years he has battled GERD, milk protein allergy, two surgeries and most recently a diagnosis of PDA which is not well understood in the U.S. Pathological demand avoidance is an autism spectrum disorder in which it causes the individual to have fight or flight responses to anything that feels like a demand or something that will compromise autonomy. There are no consistent triggers and no infallible solutions to his behaviors.

What makes you proud of your NICU graduate?
Ryan is a first grader and he is currently doing 2-3rd grade level math! This school year Ryan has received student of the month 3x’s! He has also gotten 100% on all of his spelling tests!
Ryan is very funny, he has been witty since he was able to speak which was prior to turning 1 year old. He loves music and all sorts of movement especially participating in gym at school as well as soccer and baseball.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
4lb 12.6oz

Weeks Gestation
34 weeks

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Number of Days, Months, or Years)
11 days