I experienced the worst day of my life six days after my son, Torran, was born. Death had its cold finger on the fragile child who arrived three months early, and we were running out of options to help him survive.

 

Those months in hospital, and the years of struggle with his medical challenges, forever changed me. Friday, November 17th is World Prematurity Awareness Day, and I am honoured to be the parent of a boy who kicked Death in the pants and won.

Membership into this “club” brings heartache at no extra charge, and, at times, fierce joy. I’ve met people who discovered new levels of resilience, some of whom I’m lucky to call friend. We watched the world’s tiniest heroes #borntoosoon face monumental obstacles, when the odds weren’t in their favour.

World Prematurity Awareness Day is November 17th, marked around the world by wearing purple, and lighting landmarks and buildings purple.

 

Premature birth is the #1 cause of infant death world wide, and the primary cause of childhood mortality under the age of five. In Ontario, the rate of premature infants is approximately 8% of all births, and with the increase in infertility interventions and multiple births, I predict that number will rise. In 184 countries, the preterm birth rate is 5 to 18% (per 100 live births), according to the March of Dimes.

In the last few years, I’ve seen this day evolve into a phenomenon with global traction. I cry at a purple CN Tower with families I know, and empathize with global families I’ll never meet. This year, please show your support and share your story with the hashtag #borntoosoon.

My first published novel is the creative non-fiction Growing A Rainbow: The Journey of a Two Pound Hero. All profits support the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, which offers support to parents and families beyond the basics provided by the hospitals.

Prematurity doesn’t end at birth, or when the baby goes home.

Some preemie parents don’t bring their baby home.

The effect of premature birth stays with us forever. We are mothers who feel like failures, fathers who feel helpless, family members who feel lost, and children with the brightest spark inside the smallest bodies. Some of us have a hard time bonding with our children, or we lose family and friends over our situation. Financial burdens can gouge large chunks from our savings.

I’m proud of my son, not least of which because he taught me what unconditional love truly means. Prematurity and its aftermath defined us as a family, influenced me as a writer, and proved to everyone who has met Torran or read his story just how much potential there is in every single tiny life.