Emilee’s Story

When Jessica and her husband, Justin, began the adoption process, they knew their baby might need extra care. But they never imagined just how early Emilee would arrive. Born through an emergency cesarean section at 26 weeks and weighing just 1 pound, 7 ounces, Emilee’s fight for life began in Niswonger Children’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit.

“She was the size of a ruler,” Jessica says. “Long and tiny.”

Emilee spent her first seven months in the NICU – three of those at Niswonger Children’s Hospital, then three more at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville for eye care – before returning to Niswonger for another month. At one point, her parents were preparing to celebrate her first birthday in the hospital.

 “She’s a miracle. Every step she takes now, especially after learning to walk all over again after a long illness, feels like a gift.”

Despite major hurdles – breathing complications, feeding struggles and multiple hospital stays – Emilee has amazed everyone around her. Now 4 years old, she’s off oxygen, learning to care for her feeding tube and slowly overcoming the challenges of both autism and complex medical needs.

“There were times I didn’t know if we’d make it out of the hospital,” Jessica says. “But she’s a miracle. Every step she takes now, especially after learning to walk all over again after a long illness, feels like a gift.”

Known affectionately as “the queen of the NICU,” Emilee left a lasting impression on every nurse and doctor who cared for her.

“There’s a reason she’s come this far,” Jessica says. “She’s going to do something big with her life.”

Want to learn more about Niswonger Children’s Network?

The Niswonger Children’s Network is dedicated to improving the health and future of the Appalachian Highlands through expert pediatric care so that we can share more heartwarming stories like Emilee's. Read more about the Niswonger Children's Network.

Read more Niswonger Children’s Stories here.