Marcie McAllister

Please help me raise money for the March of Dimes! Michael was born 25 years ago in Yakima at just 25 weeks. He weighed just 1 lb. 12 oz. and was only 12-1/4" long. We barely saw him before he was whisked down to the NICU where he was connected to all kinds of tubes and wires. I finally got to hold him in my arms for the first time when he was 9 days old! The next day he was flown to Seattle where he had his first surgery. I stayed in Seattle for 3 1/2 weeks with Michael while David worked in Yakima, driving to Seattle every time he had a day off. Michael returned to Yakima but still had a long road trying to get off a ventilator. He fought hard and got off the vent at 6 weeks old. He continued to improve until he was 2 1/2 months old when we were told he was going blind and needed laser eye surgery - so back to Seattle we went! Michael was 3 months old when he had surgery just a couple of days before Christmas. On January 5th, at 3 months and 10 days old, Michael finally came home from the hospital. He was on oxygen and a heart monitor - but he was home! Over the years Michael has had to go through physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. He also had to have more surgeries, hospitalizations, meet with specialists, and take extra tests. Today Michael is living and working in Colfax where he's 100% supporting himself (there were times we were told that wouldn't happen). He also loves video games and spending time with his little brother, Matthew, who was born at 37 weeks (thanks to research funded by March of Dimes). Michael is sweet, kind, smart, and working hard! We can't imagine our lives without Michael, but we wish that his life hadn't been the struggle he endured. That is why we support March of Dimes - so that one day every baby will be born full term and healthy!