Updated info on P.J.s for Preemies -- Read on!

THE NEED

I realize how busy everyone is with their lives and their families, but I thought I'd provide some basic information about a project and request your suggestions/feedback...

Many of us (thankfully) had healthy babies born full term with the greatest problems being colic, sleepless nights, or weaning. We sought support from our friends, families and colleagues to deal with all sorts of crises at the time, and had little time for much else.

But what about the family whose births didn't go well, and whose baby has to be hospitalized for extended periods right after birth? Did you ever know a family going through the worry and anxiety of watching the care of a preemie from behind incubator glass?

I got to go into Sick Kids hospital last year to see such little people. I saw eight little guys and gals born 5, 8, 12 weeks early, and some as small as 1100 grams (2 1/2 lbs). Their skin tinted purple by the UV lights bathing down on them, their tubes coming and going from arms, chest, nostril, scalp. Some stay as little as 8 days, many 2 1/2 weeks, some several months in order to get healthy and begin putting on weight.

Research has repeatedly shown that physical and emotional contact is essential for their survival and recovery. So these babies ARE picked up, snuggled and cuddled by the nurses, physiotherapists, and most importantly, by the parents and family members. But when they come out of their toasty incubators, the need to keep their temperatures regulated is so important, that they need to be swaddled or dressed. Commercially available garments look pathetic on these little people, and make it difficult to see these babies as anything but "not-normal" when wearing out-of-proportion sleepers, shirts or gowns. Bonding by the family is harder when all they see is the dysfunction, not the person.

THE PROJECT

This is what Linda LoRe thought, too, when volunteering in the hospital. So what if schools' sewing programs, and community quilting/sewing clubs could volunteer to sew preemie sized specialized garments for these little peanuts?

So that's what 22 TDSB elementary Family Studies and Secondary Fashion Arts/Parenting courses students have been doing all this year and last. She contacted the board and has set up a program of sewing flannel pj's and "nest liners" for while they're in and out of the incubators. We've produced almost 300 garments so far, enough for about 30 babies, or about 5 months' worth. Check out the picture attached to this email to see "MacKenzie" our PJ's for Preemies fashion model. She's 31 weeks old, 3 lbs 10 oz.

THE APPEAL

So here's a question for you. Do you know a skilled group of sewers that might be interested in sustaining this project through the summer, so that when the students aren't sewing, there'll still be production of these pj's? A school club or church group, a crafter's/quilter's group, a community group?

If you do, and would like to know more about this project, you can email Linda at pjsforpreemies@yahoo.ca Good luck with your family, and may you celebrate every day as a gift.

THE FUTURE

We are pleased to announce that the PJs for preemies program in partnership with Sick Kids Hospital and the Toronto District School Board will continue on through the school year 2005-06.  Schools new to the program can sign on, and "veteran" schools can choose one of three projects to support the needs of these little people, their families and the hospital.  It is hoped that by volunteering like this, young people realize the contribution they make to society and our future generations.  Please contact me below if you have a school team that would be interested in learning more.

Maggie Rose

Instructional Leader - Family Studies and

Social Science & Humanities

School Services Program - TDSB

maggie.rose@tdsb.on.ca