Hand to Hold's official blog
Founder, Hand to Hold - Kelli D. Kelley (TX) is the mother of two preemies – Jackson born at 24 weeks in 2000 and Lauren born at 34 weeks in 2003. She is the founder of Hand to Hold, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated providing support and navigation resources to families who had a preemie, who had a child in the NICU or with a special healthcare need, or who experienced loss. She has experienced the emotional fallout and isolation that having preemies often causes. As a direct result, Kelli has dedicated her life to offering hope and sanctuary to all parents who have had similar journeys. Contact her via email.
Our NICU Journey Was Paved with Heroes I met many heroes during my son’s NICU stay. From our fearless neonatologist who never gave up on my micro-preemie despite significant challenges, to respiratory therapists who helped my baby defy the odds. There were lactation consultants with unending patience, and social workers who moved mountains. Our NICU nurses were each [...]
Kelli Kelley describes upcoming initiatives to support older siblings who have a brother or sister in the NICU, including a Sibling Sundaes program, educational articles, downloadable activity pages, and an upcoming NICU Video Tour. [Read more]
We are nearing the half-way mark of Hand to Hold’s For the Love of Babies 100-day fundraising and awareness campaign, and thanks to the generosity of corporate and individual donors, we fully anticipate surpassing our goal to deliver Hand to Hold’s new NICU Resource Library to 100 NICUs across the country in 2013. The launch [...]
Hand to Hold Executive Director and Founder Kelli Kelley shares new initiatives coming up in 2013 to provide more support and education for NICU families including unveiling the new NICU Resource Library for NICUs, For the Love of Babies fundraising and awareness campaign, and the impending launch of Hand to Hold’s first Facebook Chat. [Read more]
A friend recently shared a link to a presentation by Brené Brown, a researcher and story teller who studies human connection – our ability to empathize, belong and love. Her presentation, entitled “The Power of Vulnerability,” significantly changed how I perceive my personal weaknesses and will shape my new year’s resolutions for 2013 – and [...]
Melissa remembered clearly the moment she was about to give birth 14 weeks too early at 26 weeks. She recalled the face of the sweet nurse who firmly told her that her daughter needed her to relax and breathe. She remembered the exact topic of conversation that the nurses and doctors had while preparing her for surgery. And then her daughter Addie was born, crying like a newborn kitten with those soft little mews. After being checked over by the neonatologist and his transport team, Addie’s plastic isolette was wheeled into her mom’s recovery room for a moment before she left in an ambulance, without either of her parents. [Read more]
Kelli Kelley gives thanks for the medical advances her preemies had access to in the US and reflects on the emotional impact of the global epidemic of preterm birth around the world as shared through Born Too Soon: The Global Action Report on Preterm Birth. [Read more]
Life is full of milestones – markers that denote our accomplishments and continued progress on our life journey. A baby’s first smile, first word and first steps are typical milestones to be celebrated. NICU parents cherish milestones as they denote our child’s continued growth and development. Sometimes we must adjust or change our expectations, but it is so [...]
As we prepare to kick off the third annual Preemie Power Photo and Essay Contest, it is the perfect time to reflect upon the super heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes in NICUtropolis to ensure babies born too soon, too small or too sick have the extra help they need to take on the world! Saturday, September 15 is NICU Nurse Appreciation Day. While no card or gift could ever adequately express our gratitude, we at Hand to Hold want to say thank you to these amazing men and women who have dedicated their lives to ensuring our babies soar. [Read more]
As usual, summer is passing by quickly. There must be something about the combination of bare feet, fresh cut grass, burgers on the grill and chlorine that speeds up time. Those Back to School shopping commercials have already started and those upbeat tweens comparing sneakers and picking out their cool new school supplies make me hyperventilate. While I [...]
Hand to Hold is a nonprofit 501(c)3 parent support organization and information and resources provided here do not intend to take the place of the relationship between a patient and personal physician.