Born at barely 23 weeks gestation, Ethic Brightman-Haynes spent the first 123 days of his life in Neonatal Intensive Care, fighting for his life. Having multiple health conditions including chronic lung disease and oral dysphasia, his mom, Amanda, remembers this time as both heartbreaking and heartwarming. A frightening whirlwind for her baby and her family, she recalls how proud they were on his discharge day—10 days after his original due date.
Today, Mom describes Ethic as a wiggly, giggly guy who loves to smile. She calls him a “thrill seeker”.
Ethic’s family is so proud of his accomplishments. They see determination on his face when he was learning to sit up or to grasp and hold onto objects. He does not let his physical or developmental delays stop him—he just keeps trying.
Ethic loves bright colors and being outside in nature. He finds balloons fascinating. He loves being read to by his family.
His family says Ethic has brought them closer together and helped them learn the importance of being present in each other’s lives. For the future, Amanda says: “Although he spent the first four months of his life in the NICU confined to an isolette, he is now ready to conquer the world. Look out!”
Nacido con apenas 23 semanas de gestación, Ethic Brightman-Haynes pasó los primeros 123 días de su vida en Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales, luchando por su vida. Su madre, Amanda, recuerda este momento como algo desgarrador y a la vez reconfortante, ya que padece varias enfermedades, entre ellas una enfermedad pulmonar crónica y una disfasia oral. Un torbellino aterrador para su bebé y su familia, recuerda lo orgullosos que estaban el día del alta, 10 días después de la fecha prevista originalmente.
Hoy en día, mamá describe a Ethic como un chico alegre y risueño al que le encanta sonreír. Ella lo llama “buscador de emociones”.
La familia de Ethic está muy orgullosa de sus logros. Ven la determinación en su cara cuando estaba aprendiendo a sentarse o a agarrar y sostener objetos. No deja que sus retrasos físicos o de desarrollo le detengan, simplemente sigue intentándolo. A Ethic le encantan los colores vivos y estar al aire libre en la naturaleza. Le fascinan los globos. Le encanta que su familia le lea.
Su familia dice que Ethic les ha unido más y les ha ayudado a aprender la importancia de estar presentes en la vida de los demás. Para el futuro, Amanda dice: “Aunque pasó los primeros cuatro meses de su vida en la UCIN confinado en una isolette, ahora está listo para conquistar el mundo. Cuidado”.
Family Connection of South Carolina provides services and resources to families who have a child with a disability or specialized healthcare need. Since 1990 we have served more than 100,000 families and today our services are needed more than ever. We focus on parent-to-parent support, guidance with navigating the complex healthcare system, and assistance with school meetings and special education plans.