Nina Wilcox “Batgirl Mom” Our Story

NOLAN

Pregnant with Nolan

Nolan’s Birth Story

Shock and Emotional Turmoil

First Year: Walking Through Fire Sent home with low Life Expectancy Lack of Resources Lack of Outside Help Lack of Sleep Marriage Effected Lack of Direction Feeling “Failed” by the Medical Community Lack of Trust in Medical Professionals Learned to be assertive

Trach Drama

Sibling Care

Child Life Pedscare sent in a Child Life Specialist to work with Jacob after Nolan’s traumatic birth. Our Child Life Specialist helped Jacob feel comfortable with Nolan’s feeding tube and feeding pump. She helped Jacob feel more included in the midst of a trying first year. She also helped Jacob cope through Nolan’s tracheostomy surgery. She helped Jacob feel comfortable and understand Nolan’s new tracheostomy. Our child life specialist helped Jacob understand that mommy may sometimes need to stay in the hospital with Nolan. There were times when she came and gave him her full attention without talking about Nolan, he looked forward to his visits with her. She was a friend to him when he needed a friend the most. I was grieving, coping, and surviving. She helped Jacob thrive when I was trying to survive and keep Nolan alive. Our Child Life Specialist helped Jacob adjust to our new life.

Importance of Community Meeting Clarice and Dylan Meeting Tricia and Bronson Pedscare Moms Meeting other Moms that have special needs kids Bible Study Siblings interacting with other siblings “SuperSibs” Meeting Clarice and Dylan Meeting Tricia and Bronson Pedscare Moms Meeting other Moms that have special needs kids Bible Study Siblings interacting with other siblings “SuperSibs”

Back Surgery

Hip Surgery

Typical Day in the life: Our New Normal Feeds Meds Transporting Bathing Diapering Therapies Doctor Appointments Seizure Control Pain Control Nursing Management

Embracing and Accepting