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Ward MilesAmerican born 15 weeks early
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- A Premature Birth and the Unwavering Spirit of a Tiny Fighter
- Extreme Prematurity and Severe Complications
- A Miraculous Gaze
- A Year of Triumphs
- A Heartfelt Gift
- A Viral Success and a Touching Tribute
- Ward's Progress and Bright Future
A Premature Birth and the Unwavering Spirit of a Tiny Fighter
A Premature DeliveryAt 25 weeks into her pregnancy, Lindsey Miller experienced cramps while at her workplace. Dismissing them as a result of her morning workout, she was unaware that her body was preparing for an imminent birth. Just hours later, her son, Ward Miles, was born after she was rushed to the hospital.
"It was like a blur," recalls Ward's father, Ben, a photographer and filmmaker. "And yet, somehow, I remember every detail, every look on the nurses' faces, every emotion that washed over me."
Extreme Prematurity and Severe Complications
Ward weighed a mere 680 grams (1.5 pounds) at birth. He was born 15 weeks prematurely, making him extremely vulnerable to potential health complications. A brain scan revealed a grade "2" and "4" hemorrhage on either side, indicating severe bleeding.
"We were devastated," says Ben. "These bleeds could have serious, long-term implications. There was nothing we or the doctors could do. It was a helpless feeling. All we could do was pray."
A Miraculous Gaze
Amidst the uncertainty, a profound moment occurred on the evening of the scan. As Ben recorded in his journal, Ward turned his tiny head and opened his eyes.
"He couldn't see us at that stage, but the fact that he opened his eyes, even more so that he opened them so widely, was remarkable. He looked right at us. He met our gaze..."
Ward's gaze, unwavering and reassuring, gave his parents a glimmer of hope that all was not lost.
A Year of Triumphs
By his first birthday, Ward had independently conquered the challenge of eating cake. At 14 months, he achieved the milestone of crawling. Over the following months, he mastered standing and uttering his first words, including "dog" and "Emcee" (his family pet).
A Heartfelt Gift
To mark the 32nd day of Ward's hospital release, which coincided with Lindsey's birthday, Ben created a poignant video montage featuring his son's journey.
"I threw my wife off the scent," reveals Ben. "I made her think I was working on another project late that evening. I asked her to come to my office. As soon as she saw Ward on the screen, she knew what it was for and started to cry."
A Viral Success and a Touching Tribute
According to Ben, Lindsey has watched the video, which is available on Vimeo, countless times. He jokes, "Out of about a quarter million views, she probably accounts for half."
Ben's video has resonated deeply beyond his family, touching the hearts of medical professionals who work in neonatal intensive care units. As one nurse wrote on Tumblr, "This is why I do what I do."
Ward's Progress and Bright Future
As Ward grew, his hemorrhages resolved and he gained weight. He is now thriving in preschool, demonstrating the resilience and determination that has defined his life from his earliest days.
