Alena Smith was just 25 weeks pregnant when she went into labor with her youngest son Charlie.
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This wasn’t the first time she had experienced premature labor. Wendell II, her first child, was also born early, but Charlie was even tinier than his big brother, weighing in at just 1 pound.
Although doctors gave him a 50 percent chance of survival, Charlie proved to be a fighter from the start.
He was whisked away to the neonatal intensive care unit, where his caregivers worked hard to save his life. It would be 328 days before he was finally strong enough to leave the hospital and go home with his family.
Like lots of preemies, Charlie had a host of medical problems resulting from his shortened time in the womb. His lungs were underdeveloped, so he needed a tracheoscopy to breathe. He also received physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
The day before his 3rd birthday – after three long years of nearly constant treatment – his tracheostomy was finally removed and he was deemed “no longer dependent upon life-sustaining machines.”
This was a huge milestone for Charlie and his family, as well as the medical staff who had been by his side every step of the way.
On November 1, hospital employees and first responders from Cobb County gathered with Charlie’s friends, family, and neighbors in Powder Springs, Georgia, to throw him a graduation of sorts.
The festivities started with a car parade and ended with the tiny warrior receiving a certificate of completion from his nurse, Geunevah Lafontant of Optimum Pediatric Services.
“He wore his cap and gown and [his nurse] Geunevah handed him a certificate,” Alena told GMA.
“This year, he’s considered no longer medically fragile. He met all of his milestones and no longer required tracheotomy or gastronomy,” Geunevah said.
While she is thrilled to see him progress, it was hard to say goodbye to the little patient she has come to love over the past few years.
“It was a bittersweet moment… I have to say goodbye to him, but it was also a good reason to say goodbye,” she explained.
Charlie is now a healthy, active toddler who adores his big brother! “He is a curious, rambunctious, and gregarious little boy that keeps us on our toes!” his mom said.
Now that both of her sons are healthy, Alena has turned her attention to helping other parents whose children are born prematurely. She started a nonprofit called Trust Your Strength to provide support, encouragement, and care packages to struggling moms in the hospital.
We would definitely say this was a wonderful reason to celebrate! Charlie has come so far. It’s hard to believe that just three years ago, he could fit in the palm of your hand, and now look at him!
Share this story to thank the caregivers who worked so hard to help Charlie thrive.
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