09/22/2025
September is National NICU month. CHC is recognizing this month to help raise awareness.
As such, one of our very own therapy staff, Benjamin Daugherty - Physical Therapy Assistant, has a personal story about his experience in the NICU. "We would like to showcase him on our page along with his testimony below. It's a real full circle experience as I'm convinced that his experience as a youngster has contributed to the passionate and determined manner that he provides care as a Physical Therapy Assistant to our residents," said LaTonia Smith - CHC's Administrator.
Please see his testimony below:
"I spent the first ten days of my life in the NICU, not as a premature baby, but due to a traumatic birth experience. My mother was receiving an epidural injection, when something went wrong, and my mother started going through convulsive seizures, and still has no memory of the delivery—having been disoriented for days after the event. The doctor had to perform a high forceps removal of me. During this quick removal, a bubble of air was forced into my chest—known as pneumothorax. At the same time, the pressure of the forceps on my head caused my pituitary gland to be squeezed—prompting a release of ADH into my bloodstream, causing inappropriate AHD syndrome. Fortunately, the doctors knew that I must not have too much fluid intake. Unfortunately, all I had to sustain me was IV glucose administered by a needle/line in my scalp. Blood was drawn from my feet to check ADH and electrolytes.
I am told I was the loudest (and most upset) baby in the NICU, constantly needing to be held by the nurses to calm me. After it was determined it was safe, I received milk for the first time. My eyes reportedly opened wide with surprise! My mother and father convinced the administration to allow me to come home a few days earlier than planned, after my blood levels indicated I was returning to baseline, as long as they would bring me daily for blood draws.
A few years later, I needed to receive Occupational Therapy for visual tracking issues apparently associated with my delivery experience. Now, many years later, I am grateful to God, the team of doctors and nurses in the NICU, my following OT, and the support of my parents. Their actions had a positive and lasting effect in my quality of life.
I recently read an article about the effects of premature births and the of amount of time spent in the NICU. I learned some insights that help me understand some of the kids we serve. If anyone is interested, I would be glad to forward the article to them."
