This story generated a lot of posts on my listserve for parents of
preemies. Much of the concern centered around the statement made by
the neonatologist who cared for Amilia that the medical complications
she experienced were not expected to cause any long term problems.
The sentiment of our group was that it was MUCH too soon for anyone
to know what long term effects this child will have from her extreme
prematurity. This was even more evident by the fact that she very
well may be the earliest preemie to survive and therefore there are
no other children of her gestational age to compare her to. There
was also concern expressed that the "happy ending" spin could very
well serve to discount the struggles that many of our preemies face.
Of course, we also don't know how much of this happy ending spin was
just that - media spin. Since the story first aired, it does seem to
have changed some to acknowledge that it remains to be seen how
things turn out for her. We all hope for the best for Amilia, but for
those of us whose preemies struggle with various issues, some visible
and some not so visible, an acknowledgement of their struggles seems
in order.

Just my .02.

Robin

--- In Parents_As_Partners@yahoogroups.com, "Lisa Richards"
<lisa.a.richards@...> wrote:
>
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I was reading the news today and saw this story:
>
>
> Baby, among tiniest to survive, leaving hospital
>
> A premature baby that doctors say spent less time in the womb than
any other surviving infant is to be released from a Florida hospital
on Feb. 20.
>
> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17237979/from/ET/
>