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In This Issue:
Susie and Jeremy Wilkening during their NICU visit.
While their prematurely born son received care in the NICU, Susie and Jeremy Wilkening found comfort in reading him children’s books when they couldn’t hold him. Roe passed away from complications of his prematurity, but a new reading program called Roe’s Books will help his memory endure.
“We hope that in reading one of Roe’s Books, parents can find comfort in knowing that their infants find the sound of their voices reassuring,” said Susie Wilkening, who came up with the idea for the program while she and her husband met with social workers and nurses after their son’s passing.
The couple last week returned to the NICU to deliver two book shelves filled with about 200 children’s books, including classics, new works and books in different languages, donated by their family and friends. Both shelves are equipped with wheels, making them easy to move around. The shelves bear paintings of the faces of the couple’s two dogs, Shadow and Macie.
“It’s remarkable that from someone’s grief can come so much generosity,” said Paul Hughes, administrator for Newborn Medicine. “Both Susie and Jeremy worked tirelessly to form this program. We will be forever grateful, and their gift will touch the lives of many of our NICU families.”