Parents Day is July 22 and is a wonderful holiday for moms and dads. This day means a great deal to my husband and me because we are fortunate to celebrate it with our son, Caleb. Our celebration is due in part to the wonderful support of the March of Dimes.

I was at 31 weeks with my son, Caleb, when I was diagnosed with HELLP Syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, Low Platelet Count). This is when a group of symptoms make a mother’s blood levels dangerously low, and the liver begins to shut down. Caleb was born 9 weeks premature because of my condition, and spent 7 weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Right after birth, Caleb was placed on a ventilator because of his immature lungs. Caleb had a valve in his heart that was not fully developed and a level III hemorrhage in his brain. By the grace of God and the medical staff, Caleb survived. After 7 weeks, we finally took him home.