Meet Melissa K., Parent Mentor at Akron Children's
Melissa's Story
My husband Chris and I lost our first child, Audrey, who was born at 24 weeks gestation in 2014. We went on to have a healthy, full term son, Asher, in 2015. In 2019, we had twin girls born at 25 weeks. Cora and Jane spent 198 days in the NICU. Both girls suffered respiratory distress, and were on and off the ventilator, which led to BPD. Cora came home on oxygen and both girls came home with g-tubes due to feeding difficulties. Cora and Jane are still working through their feeding difficulties but are otherwise doing very well! I hope to provide support and a listening ear to fellow NICU moms who just need to talk to someone who has lived and understands the NICU life.
Melissa is a mentor for these care services: Developmental Delay, Endocrine, Feeding and Nutrition, Gastroenterology, Grief and Loss, NICU, Pulmonary