1 month ago
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Santa stopped by the neonatal intensive care unit at Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, to greet some of the tiniest members of his nice list.Families with babies in the NICU may not be celebrating the holidays how they had hoped, which is why Saint Luke's is making sure to bring the holiday cheer to them.Santa and his helpers came to town Wednesday to spread Christmas cheer to the families.But the hospital doesn't just call in St. Nick. For 10 years, Saint Luke's staff and volunteers with the March of Dimes have dressed up the babies as presents and taken photos to help create special moments for families. "Some of our families are struggling with that distance and trying to be at home some and be in the hospital," said Danielle Gathers, nurse manager at Saint Luke's. "And the holidays make that harder. So there are lots of family events. They want their family traditions, and they're having to make those look a little bit different while they're here."So we like to try to bring them a little joy during that time." The Gomer family is one of those families who is having to adjust to their new normal. Their son, Caleb, came 13 weeks early while they were visiting family in Kansas City. "I think a lot of it is about perspective, you know, this is a less than ideal situation, but when you come to a situation like this, your perspective completely changes about life and pregnancy," Patrick Gomer said. "And so at this point, we are just incredibly grateful that Caleb is here, that we can celebrate his life."Emily Gomer added that the decorations and activities help make the situation a little easier."Decorations around for the holidays and doing special things for the families like the photos just make it a little more comfortable, memorable for us," Emily Gomer said.Saint Luke's staff said they plan to continue the festivities for every holiday to make families more comfortable during the stay in the hospital.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
Santa stopped by the neonatal intensive care unit at Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, to greet some of the tiniest members of his nice list.
Families with babies in the NICU may not be celebrating the holidays how they had hoped, which is why Saint Luke's is making sure to bring the holiday cheer to them.
Santa and his helpers came to town Wednesday to spread Christmas cheer to the families.
But the hospital doesn't just call in St. Nick. For 10 years, Saint Luke's staff and volunteers with the March of Dimes have dressed up the babies as presents and taken photos to help create special moments for families.
"Some of our families are struggling with that distance and trying to be at home some and be in the hospital," said Danielle Gathers, nurse manager at Saint Luke's. "And the holidays make that harder. So there are lots of family events. They want their family traditions, and they're having to make those look a little bit different while they're here.
"So we like to try to bring them a little joy during that time."
The Gomer family is one of those families who is having to adjust to their new normal. Their son, Caleb, came 13 weeks early while they were visiting family in Kansas City.
"I think a lot of it is about perspective, you know, this is a less than ideal situation, but when you come to a situation like this, your perspective completely changes about life and pregnancy," Patrick Gomer said. "And so at this point, we are just incredibly grateful that Caleb is here, that we can celebrate his life."
Emily Gomer added that the decorations and activities help make the situation a little easier.
"Decorations around for the holidays and doing special things for the families like the photos just make it a little more comfortable, memorable for us," Emily Gomer said.
Saint Luke's staff said they plan to continue the festivities for every holiday to make families more comfortable during the stay in the hospital.
English (US)