**Content warning: In this episode we talk about death and dying.** Sometimes, families leave the hospital without their NICU baby. Misti Staley's's son Freeman was born in 2015 after a healthy pregnancy, but after birth, Misti learned of his many medical complexities. In this episode, Misti shares about the beautiful life of her son and how the challenges they encountered during his care inspired her to honor his memory after his passing. That outgrowth of generosity is now blessing NICUs and their families around the world. In this episode, Kathryn and Misti chat about: ❓ Freeman’s birth. ❓ What devices/assistance came home with him and how did you adapt to those changes? ❓ What is the Freearm and how did the idea of it come about? ❓ How do you think this device can honor Freeman's memory? ❓ What's your best advice to a NICU mom who is stressed about the devices or assistance her baby is discharged with? Freeman spent 3.5 months in the NICU, was home for 5 weeks and then spent 5 long months in the PICU, before sadly losing his battle with pulmonary hypertension at 10 months old. After Freeman's passing, Misti built Freeman Playground in Helena, Arkansas; an ADA playground with ramps and a poured in place rubber surface. Through all that Misti learned through Freeman's tube feeding journey, Misti also created the @FreeArm.tube.feeding.assistant - a tube feeding device that holds gravity syringe feeds, pump feeds and infusions at the hospital home and on-the-go. Freeman's legacy of love continues through Freeman Playground and the FreeArm.

Posted by Leigh Ann at Hand to Hold at 2023-07-19 16:00:06 UTC