Baby Quilts Collected-Year To Date: 216
"Made With Love", Baby Quilt Drive
Covers For Isolettes
Friday, April 4, 2008 By Scott Smith, Times Record, SSMITH@SWTIMES.COM
He wasn't donning a fluttering cape Wednesday, but 7-moth-old Alexander James Stengel was a special kind of superhero. Without lifting any of his tiny fingers, the son of Brian and Christina Stengel of Ratcliff blanketed those around him at St. Edwards Mercy Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with Joy and love.
It was only a few months ago when "Alex," as he is affectionately called by family and NICU staff, fought for his life as a baby who arrived at birth 15 weeks early. He has bounced back and now almost serves as an in-house ambassador at the unit as his brown eyes seemingly smile to the friendly smiles and voices directed his way.
Alex joined his 31-year-old mother, who presented 126 handmade quilts to Dr. Victor Coloso, neonatologist and NICU medical director, and his staff. The quilts were crafted from people as far away as Kansas City and Russellville, as well as from communities in Oklahoma, and they be used to minimize light that enters isolettes, which protect and monitor premature babies.
"Blankets for the isolettes were on my wish list here, and not only do the blankets give the children memories, but they are items that can be carried outside later and into the home," said Coloso. "Christina took our idea and I really appreciate it.
The blankets are used to cover each isolette to help regulate the amount of light that shines on premature babies. The blankets block much of the light, which helps the baby because his or her eyes are too sensitive to light during the first few weeks or months of life, Coloso said. The blankets will help prevent problems with a baby's retina, he said.
"We had old blankets here that were used to cover the isolettes, but these new blankets that Christina has given us, they are much more personalized," Coloso said. "That is good. It's something the child can ask about later on, and they can keep that blanket forever with them."
Christina Stengel said her experience with Alex at the NICU sparked her desire to help the staff members and the babies they oversee.
"I thank Dr. Coloso and his staff for Alex," she said. "They were so great and I am so thankful for them taking care of Alex during those first few weeks after he was born. Them taking care of Alex-that was very, very important."
Born on Aug. 24 at the St. Edward hospital, Alex weighed only 1 pound 9 ounces. Brian Stengel, grappling with his nerves, only wanted to hear his son cry, but a few seconds of silence followed. Finally, a faint whimper seeped from Alex's small lips, which thrust Christina Stengel, as though knowing who his mother was moments after birth, before he was airlifted to Arkansas Children's Hospital.
"Alex spent his first eight weeks at Children's Hospital, and he then spent seven weeks here at the NICU," Christina Stengel said. "He spent a total of 108 days in the hospital."
Released from the NICU on Dec. 10, Alex required an apnea monitor, oxygen for when he would eat and breathing treatments twice each day. By early January, the Stengel's happily returned the apnea monitor and oxygen devices to the hospital.
"He's fine now," Christina Stengel said proudly. "He does take something for reflux, but he is fine."
Alex continues to grace hospital rooms at St. Edward, but does so as a healthy, happy boy. He and Christina often visit with Coloso and the staff, all who surround Alex with smiles and various "goo-goo"-like baby sounds. Their quilt presentation on Wednesday wasn't an exception.
"We are so fortunate for the staff and Dr. Coloso here," Christina Stengel said. "Because of them, Alex is just perfect."
Collecting the quilts and then giving them to the NICU staff was an appropriate way to say thank you, she said.
"It was just great because we received we received quilts from a middle school in Russellville, from church groups and from many different individuals," Christina Stengel said.
Each quilt contains its own design and, more importantly, its own story, she said.
"One grandmother quilted a blanket in the memory of her grandchild, who had died, and two daughters had quilted another blanket in honor of their mother," Christina Stengel said. "There are just so many different, special stories to these blankets, and we will continue to accept quilts from people for this."
Alex still has his quilt. It features the famous character, Snoopy, from the "Charlie Brown" comic strips and cartoons.
"Oh, it's blue with Snoopy and its all boy, just like Alex," Christina Stengel said with a laugh.
St. Edward staff members presented Alex with a star plaque as a crowd of about 30 clapped.
"You see that, you are now a star," said one women.
Coloso then held Alex as the room fell silent. Alex then placed his hand on Coloso's face, which drew multiple "aah's" from staff and visitors.
"I'm hoping that Alex is a big Razorback fan when he gets older," Christina Stengel said. "That would be good."
Coloso wasn't surprised be Christina Stengel's wish.
"Oh yes, I have seen some of that," he said with a grin. "Alex was wearing Razorback clothes when he came up here one time. Yes, I can see that happening."
"Made With love", Baby Quilt Drive Information
For Saint Edward Mercy Medical Center, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
On August 24, 2007 my son Alex was born 15 weeks early at St. Edward Mercy Medical Center. Weighing 1 pound 9 ounces he was in need of emergency care and attention. Within moments of his birth the medical staff worked quickly to provide him necessary medical treatment. Not to long after that Angel One from Arkansas Children’s Hospital arrived by air to take Alex on his first helicopter ride. The first eight weeks of his life was spent at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. While there we received Alex’s first baby quilt. Many N.I.C.U. parents at ACH receive these quilts in hope to provide comfort and warmth during a difficult time. These quilts are also used as isolate covers for our tiny miracles whose eyes are sensitive to light. After Alex’s first eight weeks at ACH he was back transported to Saint Edwards were he spent the next seven weeks. During his stay I noticed they needed more isolate covers. Therefore I am urging all quilters to help me collect new baby quilts for parents who have a baby staying in the N.I.C.U. at Saint Edwards in Fort Smith.
· These quilts should be new.
· Dimensions 36”x48”
· A majority of them need to be unisex colors and/or theme
· From a smoke-free environment
I can be contacted at christina.stengel@yahoo.com
I look forward to your participation!
Christina Stengel mother of Alex
Thank You To All Who Help Make This Project Possible.
Channel 5 Morning News and news anchor Ashely Beck were very instrumental in helping me get the word out. On Feburary 14, 2008 Alex and I were guest on the Morning Show with Ashely. She also did a report at the hospital the day we presented the quilts to the N.I.C.U.
After sending out many letters to area church's I did receive a warm response from several groups. St. Joesph in Paris, AR, St. Meinrad, Scranton, AR, St. Benedict, Subiaco, AR, Sacrad Heart of Mary, Barling, AR, St. Anthony, Ratcliff, AR
Associates at Wal - Mart in Fort Smith, AR and Paris, AR
Students at Russellville Middle School in Russellville, AR and Clarksville High School in Clarksville, AR
I also received quilts from California, Oklahoma, and Missouri.
Mercy Foundation is helping by providing tax receipts for those who request it.
Many individuals have donated their time, talents, and baby quilts to help provide warmth and comfort to our tiny miracles.