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Daree Blake, one of the two Public Board Members for the Neonatal Therapy Certification Board®(NTCB™), began her NICU journey when she delivered twins prematurely at 23 weeks and 1 day. Her son, Oliver, sadly passed away when he was just one day old and daughter, Emma, spent 125 days in the NICU. Daree waited 5 long weeks before she was able to hold her daughter, Emma.
When Emma was 2 weeks old, she underwent a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) ligation. This is a heart defect that keeps a vein open after birth. However, Daree notes that Emma’s lungs were her most difficult challenge. When asked about the family’s neonatal therapy team Daree said, “I had wonderful neonatal therapists who showed and taught me the why of how we were tucking my baby in the way that we were. They helped me feel like a Mom in that very strange environment. These therapists gave me tools to feel like I could make a difference in my baby’s progress and outcomes. They taught me how to touch Emma, encouraged me to cuddle her as much as possible, and helped me to be able to bring Emma home breastfeeding most of her needs. They gave me hope.”
Daree holding her daughter Emma, with her family members close by.
Daree’s second NICU journey began when her son, Josiah, was born prematurely at 28 weeks and 2 days. Josiah spent 60 days in the NICU. When Daree was asked about her neonatal therapy team during this experience she stated, “our neonatal therapists empowered us to be as involved as possible. They helped my husband feel needed by teaching him how to do neonatal massage and encouraged him to feed Josiah with a bottle while I was focusing on breastfeeding. My therapists were also very integrated into our medical team. I saw them more than I saw the Neonatologists. They made it a point to come when they knew I would be there or checked in with me when they couldn’t. They empowered me to feel like a Mom when I was afraid to touch my baby. They helped me break past my fear and see the very loved baby, not just the box, tubes and wires keeping him alive.”
Daree and her son, Josiah.
When asked about the importance of the CNT™ certification to a parent of an infant in the NICU, Daree added, “There is something comforting in the fact that people are willing to go above and beyond the minimum to show that they care about the patients they are helping.” As an active member of the NTCB™, Daree mentioned, “I was encouraged to become a board member by my children’s Neonatal Therapist. I believe that those who are most impacted need to have a voice on how services are being implemented. I have felt like a valued member of the NTCB™ since day one. I see the passion that each of the board members brings to the space, and I am encouraged by it. Anything that improves the experience and outcomes for families that need to spend time in the NICU is so very vital for the lowering of trauma that they carry throughout their lives. My hope for the future is that we can bring more parent involvement into the holistic care of these fragile babies. Maybe expand a version of the certification to those who care for these fragile babies once they are discharged from the NICU.”
Daree and her family, present day.