My name is Taylor Johnson, and I am writing to share a story that is very close to my heart. Your organization provided us with an Owlet Dream Sock for our son, and the impact it has had on our lives is immeasurable. In appreciation of your amazing work, I asked for donations to your organization for my birthday this year. I hope a few have reached you by now, dedicated in memory of Colter Ridge Johnson. Sharing his story is a way to express our deep gratitude and to honor his incredible spirit.
Our journey began with an unexpected turn. At 22 weeks and three days into my pregnancy with Di/Di twin boys, I went into labor. What followed was a whirlwind: an ambulance ride, a helicopter transfer, and three different hospitals within 24 hours, each presenting us with grim survival percentages for our boys. We heard 1%, 5%, and finally, 30% chances of survival. Despite the odds, our boys, Thayne and Colter, decided to make their entrance into the world.
After just 13 minutes of labor, Thayne was born weighing around 14 ounces, making us first-time parents. However, Colter was not facing down, so the doctors kept Thayne’s placenta in and decided to wait. It was an unusual situation—telling people we had a baby while still being pregnant. Three days later, my water broke, and Colter’s head and arm were already out when the doctor checked my cervix. An emergency ensued, and in the OR, three doctors worked to free Colter, who was born weighing 1 pound and 2.7 ounces. Despite their best efforts, we lost Colter two days later due to severe brain bleeds.
Our NICU journey became a bittersweet mix of grief and hope. As we mourned Colter, we watched Thayne fight for his life. The stages of grief are not linear, and my husband and I often found ourselves in different emotional places, navigating this rollercoaster of emotions together.
After 120 days in the NICU, Thayne came home—without oxygen, exclusively breastfeeding, and before his due date. The NICU staff, who had become like family, had saved our boy. Thayne had shown the world the strength of preemies.
Colter, our brave little cowboy, remains in our hearts as a warrior. These donations in his name mean the world to us, as he continues to live on by helping other families. The Owlet Dream Sock has been our lifeline, allowing us to sleep without the constant fear of losing Thayne. Since losing Colter, I have been determined to help others in any way I can.
Life in the NICU taught us many medical terms: bradycardia, desats, PICC, NG, OG, stim, tachypnea, apnea, and more. These terms signify the terrifying medical situations we faced. We relied on monitors every second of every day. As we prepared to bring Thayne home, breastfeeding and sleeping were our biggest challenges. Thayne experienced bradycardia events while sleeping and eating. Having held Colter as he took his last breath, seeing Thayne drop his heart rate or need stimulation to breathe again was petrifying.
The Owlet Dream Sock brought us immense comfort. Without the hospital monitors, we feared missing vital signs. Bringing Thayne home was a mix of joy and anxiety. My husband didn’t sleep for the first three days, watching over Thayne like a hawk. The Owlet Dream Sock allowed us to rest, knowing the monitors would alert us if something went wrong.
We are eternally grateful for the peace of mind the Owlet Dream Sock has given us. Thank you for your incredible support and for helping us honor Colter's memory by supporting other families in need.
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