Celebrating a special kind of super-hero
By Laura Lyne
FOLLOWING months of time spent in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) in the Coombe Hospital after being born at only 24 weeks, the family and friends of baby Arlo and his parents Laura Davis and Aaron O’Rourke held a special super-hero-themed celebration to mark his christening day and his new life at home in Springfield.
Seven-month-old Arlo was born on August 12, weighing only 700g. Following 121 days in hospital, he has already battled a bout of sepsis, eight blood transfusions, kidney stones and a hernia, along with a number of other conditions.
The little fighter, who has been dubbed King Arlo by his family, still continues to fight a severe chronic lung disease and undergoes weekly eye exams following surgery to tackle retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).
His mother, Laura, told The Echo: “We would like to thank our families, friends and close relatives for their amazing support, for all the help from Baylee (Arlo’s sister), school runs, paying bills, shopping and babysitting – the list is endless.
“Of course a special thanks to my mam for putting up with me, which I know wasn’t easy, for our daily meals and the 24-hour care.
“To everyone who prayed for Arlo and kept him in their thoughts, for all the supportive texts we’re forever thankful.
“To all the staff in the NICU for giving King Arlo superior care, words cannot express our gratitude in making a stressful situation as possible as it was. If it wasn’t for your generosity then our son wouldn’t be alive and if it wasn’t for your support we wouldn’t have got through this.
“Arlo is now a happy seven-month-old and no longer needs oxygen. We’ve still got a tough journey ahead of us.
“Our next chapter is Arlo’s life at home, something which we never ever thought we would say.
“For all the families who are currently on the journey in the NICU our love and prayers are with you. Keep the faith, as the strength of our little ones are beyond amazing.”
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