Title: John’s Story of Uplifting Parents of Premature Babies
Eighteen years later, John still finds himself walking the corridors of our maternity ward—a place that holds a special meaning for him. It’s where his commitment to supporting others began after a life-changing experience.
In 2007, John and his wife welcomed their baby girl, Mercy, at just 28 weeks, weighing 1000 grams only! “We were not expecting this at that particular time,” John recalls. “It caused a lot of panic. We were not prepared and had so many questions. The doctors explained the situation, and we had no choice but to hope and trust that our baby would grow normally.”
Those early weeks were tough. Every hospital visit brought him face-to-face with anxious mothers going through similar challenges. Some only had our specialists and occasional visits from our chaplains to provide them with encouragement. “I saw some mothers who were lonely, without family or friends to support them. It really touched me and made me want to encourage them,” John says.
Today, Mercy is thriving in high school but John’s connection to the maternity ward remains strong. He spends some of his time speaking with mothers, sharing his story, and offering reassurance. “I tell them, ‘premature babies grow normally, just like those born full-term. Don’t lose hope’”
To extend his support, John started a WhatsApp group for mothers of premature babies. “It’s a space for them to interact, share their experiences, and encourage each other,” he explains.
John is also passionate about raising awareness in the community to combat myths and misconceptions about premature births. “Some families think it’s a bad omen or something tied to their lineage. We need to continue educating people and change these beliefs,” he concludes.
We recognize and applaud John’s commitment to uplifting families during some of their most challenging moments. His experience as a father seeking to be a beacon of hope to support others embodies our mission of showing compassion and impacting lives!
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