Hometown: Upper Arlington, OH
Age on Race Day: 13
Diagnosis: Prematurity
When Parker’s mom Rebecca’s water broke a little over halfway into her pregnancy, she was immediately put on on strict bedrest. Three weeks later, at just 29 weeks gestation, Parker was born. Due to the severity of prematurity, Parker required emergency intubation. Fortunately, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Level III Nursery at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital is a part of Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s neonatal network, special care units operated by Nationwide Children’s pediatric experts but located within local birthing hospitals, so Parker and Rebecca could stay together.
After just 24 hours, Parker was weaned off his ventilator and his family spent the next six weeks by his side in the neonatal care unit watching him grow. At what would have been 35 weeks gestation, Parker was able to go home where he continued to thrive.
As a result of prematurity, Parker has continued to receive care at Nationwide Children’s for various development concerns. He had developmental delays requiring physical and occupational therapies, as well as learning delays that required assessment by neuropsychology.
“Having Nationwide Children’s available to support the delays associated with prematurity has resulted in a preteen boy who no one can believe was born 11 weeks early,” Rebecca shares. “Our every need has been met by the experts at Nationwide Children’s.”
Parker is now 13 and doing very well. He loves sports and is a great teammate to his basketball and football teams.
“I don't like to consider where we may be if it weren't for the state of the art, patient centered care provided by Nationwide Children’s,” says Rebecca. “They've given us our greatest blessing, and we are thankful every day”.
