Mariyah's Story

Images Captured By Aspectus Photography

www.aspectusphoto.com

Tiny Light Mariyah has been defying the odds from even before she was born. Now, nothing can slow down this curious one-year-old who tries so hard at everything and smiles through all of it.

When mom Shama started having contractions at 23 weeks gestation, doctors said the baby’s chance of surviving the delivery was only 2%. Mariyah weighed just 507 grams at birth, and was immediately rushed off to the NICU. She survived but faced several life-threatening battles over the first six months of her life. This preemie suffered a brain bleed, bleeding in her cerebellum, she had heart surgery to close a duct (PDA), stomach surgery to remove adhesions from necrotizing enterocolitis, numerous bouts of infection, chronic lung disease, and one scare of meningitis. Through it all, Mariyah remained a feisty little baby, always kicking, grabbing and pulling at her wires and tubes.

Though parents Shama and Irshaad were told their baby girl would likely be

severely disabled because of the brain bleed, Mariyah continues to develop right on track for her adjusted age. The left side of her body is weaker, but that doesn’t stop this princess from getting what she wants. She is pulling to stand and walks with help. By her next birthday, she should be like any other two-year-old.

This Tiny Light never gives up. Even in the darkest days when everyone thought

she would not make it, she kept fighting. “In one year, Mariyah has been through

more than my husband and I have been through in our entire lifetime. She has given everyone who knows her a reason to believe, and provides us with a daily reminder of how fortunate we are in life.”

Written by Elaine Yong

Mikaela's Story

Images Captured by Michelle Wells Photography

Meet Mikaela. This Tiny Light is happy doing regular newborn stuff! As long as she is eating she is happy!
Mikaela was born 13 weeks premature. She was one of two co-existing twins in a molar pregnancy. The egg had split into what would have been identical twins, but one didn’t develop. Mikaela did. Because there have only been 300 documented cases of this scenario since 1954, the doctors were unsure how to care for them. After putting up a huge fight, Mikaela’s mother convinced the doctors to let her continue with the pregnancy.


It was found out after Mikaela could not be weaned from oxygen, that she had BPD, a chronic lung disease that affects newborn babies. She will continue to have follow-up appointments every two weeks for this condition. She also has follow-ups for her ROP (retinopathy of prematurity).  She has passed three tests so far!


The most difficult part of this journey for Mikaela’s mom, aside from the health problems that Mikaela has been challenged with, is only getting to see her other daughters on weekends. While it was necessary for her to be with Mikaela, she longed for her other children.


Mikaela has doubled her birth weight, an amazing thing for everyone around her to see. She has also learned how to nurse and come off of CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). Mikaela continues to progress so much, making every day amazing and spectacular. Mikaela started fighting long before she was even born to live. “The road is long but worth every second. Thinking about the past few months brings tears of joy!” 


Story by Angela Stephen-Dewhurst

Connor's Story

Images Captured by Kimberly Rashed Photography

This is Tiny Light Connor. He has a very easygoing and has a happy disposition. He loves riding bikes, acting, and video games.


Connor was born three months premature. He weighed only 1 lb 3 oz. He was fed by feeding tube at birth and was on oxygen, which he would not have survived without. Connor was in the hospital for six months before he finally got to go home.


Connor has had struggles due to premature birth. He has chronic lung disease as well as hearing loss for which he still wears a hearing aid. He has three learning disabilities: dysgraphia, global delay, and a non-verbal diagnosis. This has made school a major struggle for Connor.


Though things have been tough, Connor maintains an amazing attitude. He is a charming and very likeable boy. He has applied for mechanics at high school, as he wants to follow in the footsteps of his dad and grandfathers. His mother’s wish is for Connor to be the very best he can be. She also hopes that he will be socially accepted and takes comfort in knowing that he has nice peers that are understanding of him.  


Story by Angela Stephen-Dewhurst