Tyce and Shay got to meet Dr. Winkler, my OB and the doctor that delivered them:
Here are a few people from our team: Dr. Olivia Jones (Tyce and Shay's pediatrician) with her twin girls who were born prematurely; Jennifer Ristau (one of our favorite NICU nurses) with her son, Tyler, who was born at 23 weeks gestation; and Jonathon and Colleen who both work with Scott and wanted to show their support by walking with us:
We can't express enough how bitter-sweet it is to be a part of such an amazing organization. Of course, if it were up to us, we would never have chosen for Tycen and Shaylie to go through all that they went through in the first couple of months of their lives. It was by far the most difficult thing we've ever gone through as we watched our premature babies struggle to stay alive for the 53 days they were in the NICU.
Life as a newborn wasn't exactly 'normal' for Tyce and Shay, either. They had neurotic parents (well, mostly their mommy ;) who were very protective and would rather no one hold or even touch them--including their closest family members--than they be at risk for getting sick and returning to the hospital. It was a time full of roller-coaster emotions...joy, sorrow, hope, despair, loneliness, excitement, sleeplessness, devotion, peace, anxiety, and the greatest LOVE we've ever known.
We would not have even gotten through that time let alone come out whole and stronger, if it weren't for our faith in Christ. He was our rock and foundation and we know without a doubt that we went through that experience for a reason. If it weren't for Tyce and Shay being born prematurely, we most likely wouldn't be actively supporting the MOD foundation today. At the young age of 2 1/2, Tycen and Shaylie have already inspired many people to reach out and help other children to have a better beginning of life than their own.
ThAnK YoU to all of our friends and family that have supported the MOD by praying, donating and walking with us!!
