2017 Lewisburg Ambassador Abigail Orr
Brandi Orr had a healthy pregnancy until she was rushed to the hospital at 28 weeks. After 6 long days of labor, Abigail Grace was born weighing 3 pounds and was 15.8 inches long at 29 weeks gestation. After about a month Abigail's family was told that she doing so well she'd be moved to another hall in preparation for her to go home. However, just when her family thought all was well, they experienced something no parent should ever have to. Abigail’s oxygen plummeted she was unable to bring herself back. They did many tests on her including a spinal tap, to test for meningitis. The results shocked Abigail's family. She had a cold. The common cold that is so small to ordinary people could kill a premature baby. After treating her cold Abigail started to improve. She was breathing on her own, opening her eyes, reaching for her parents. Abigail's mother says "I remember the day they told us she would be able to go home, I was filled with so many emotions, joy, fear, and panic. Finally, after 62 days in the NICU, we were going to take our baby home. As we put her into the car seat it hit us, no more monitors, no more nurses, just us and this little 5 pound bundle of joy. I am proud to say although she started into this world so small and fragile, she is now a healthy little girl. She loves to play hide and seek, and to dance, but her favorite thing is to cook in her kitchen. Abigail has truly been an inspiration to our entire family. We have decided to make it our mission to inform everyone about March of Dimes and the wonderful things they do. I want to give every baby a fighting chance, and help all mothers know the signs, that I didn’t. Thank you so much for listening to Abigail’s story and for being a part of March for Babies."
-The Orr Family