This morning I had the honor of volunteering to photograph the March for Babies in Portland, Maine. I have been photographing babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care and Continuing Care Units at Maine Medical Center for 3.5 years. Each week, until discharge, I go in and photograph the babies - as requested by parents, and add to their portfolio. The purpose is simple, to document and celebrate each baby's growth and development. You will never see these photographs here, they are part of a project that is a partnership between a company that I contract with and a special grant to support families with babies in long term care.
Full-term babies have a gestation of roughly 40 weeks, babies that I meet can have been born as early as 24week gestation, most are closer to 30+ weeks. I photograph these babies weekly, as their health permits, for weeks and sometimes months. I am only in each room for a few minutes at a time, but over this time have a chance to photograph and spend time with parents, grandparents, siblings and friends. I have witnessed the first time mothers hold their babies, the first time multiples have been together since birth, first bites of food, first roll-overs and more,,,
Three times now, I have had the special privilege of photographing an event which draws together graduates patients, doctors, nurses, volunteers, March of Dimes staff and many others. The first 2 events were NICU family reunions, and took place at our local Children's Museum - today's was the March for Babies.
As you will see in the photos that follow, the shirts and beads tell the stories. People choose their beads to signify walking in memory, celebrating their own growth and development, the growth and development of their children or that of a successful, healthy pregnancy. Teams unite with shirts featuring photographs, footprints and names - hospital staff and volunteers come out in numbers - all to, in the words from the March for Babies Site:
Fund programs that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. Provide hope to the more than 500,000 babies who are born too soon each year. Help researchers find answers to problems that threaten babies.
I get a chance to see babies that I photographed 3 years ago taking steps on the walk themselves, to hug Moms and Dads who remember the moments I captured and to celebrate all those working on this special cause.
Disclaimer: I didn't actually do the walk today - I photographed the start and then walked a bit in the opposite direction to await the leaders returning. I used this time for reflection and gratitude as I looked toward the East Tower (home of the NICU and CCN at MMC) and watched this circle of hope form around Back Cove.
If you are inspired to donate, please do:
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