For Evelyn
In 2024 the unimaginable birth of my niece happened when she was just 26 weeks gestation. I once feared she would not survive birth and then post-birth. Having witnessed more tubes than I could ever imagine in, on and surrounding a 700gram being, I felt immense grief of what lay or didn’t lie ahead. The power of medical intervention astonished me, even as an occupational therapist.
The hidden drive this little person must have had to live. She has been fierce, not only surviving but thriving, surpassing milestones I once doubted we would see. She has taught me to be patient, have faith and trust. She has shown me resilience and strength. I am in awe. She is now nearly 16 months old. She crawled, she walks, she babbles, she communicates, she eats, she plays, she is social and she is her own person. She is Evelyn.
I do this for her. If she can fight to not only survive but thrive, I can walk, run or ride 21km in one month.
With my love always,
Aunty Jess
