NICU Patient Stories

Miracle Moments

In Ballad Health’s neonatal intensive care units, our region’s smallest patients get the care they need to thrive.

Our experts help sick and premature babies through their first weeks and months of life, so they can grow up strong and healthy.

Get to know some of these little miracles.

NICU Stories | Niswonger Stories

photo: newborn Ellie sleeping on mother's chest

Down syndrome, surgery, leukemia

At 7 months old, Eleanor has battled more health issues than most adults. Born 2 months early with Down syndrome, she faced stomach surgery at just 2 days old and spent the first month of her life in the NICU at Niswonger Children’s Hospital.

Read Eleanor’s story here.

 Aiden looking at camera, wearing blue plaid shirt

Rescued by love and special care

Aiden was one of the statistics you see in the news. Born addicted to drugs his mother took while pregnant, he spent the beginning of his life in the NICU of Niswonger Children’s in a special unit for babies suffering from drug withdrawal.

Read Aiden’s story here.


Niswonger Children's Stories

Arimina portrait, full body, clapping with smile

Down syndrome, acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Named after her great grandmother, Arimina (Air-ah-mine-ah) is a little girl who is as special — and as strong — as her name, which means “soldier.” Born with Down syndrome and now diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Arimina and her family have bravely faced some tough times.

Read Arimina’s story here.

Ayden and Ava portrait, full body, smiling

NICU family care

Kim didn’t expect to go into labor three months before her due date, which meant she would spend the rest of her pregnancy in the hospital. Of course, she didn’t expect her babies to be born two months early weighing less than 3 pounds, and she certainly didn’t expect to have a hysterectomy following a C-section.

Read Ayden and Ava’s story here.