ABOUT THE BOOK

Timothy Smith, a reporter for the Farmington Observer, and his wife Donna, know what’s it like to live through the anxiety and emotions of having a premature baby. On November 20, 1994, Elizabeth Ellen Smith came into the world 15 weeks early, weighing only 1 pound, 14 ounces. And they quickly learned that very premature babies (micro-preemies, which are usually born at two pounds or less) are faced with numerous difficulties and heartbreaking odds for survival. But Tim, Donna and Elizabeth can tell you … not only can preemies and micro-preemies survive, they can thrive! As Smith wrote in a 1995 column for the Observer and Eccentric newspapers, “…good things can happen to premature babies with love, care, advances in hospital technology and the prayers and thoughts of many people, some of them strangers.”  Running with the column was a photograph Smith took in the NICU of his tiny daughter giving a “thumbs up” sign. That photo planted the seed for Smith to write about this sensitive topic he had originally opted to avoid as a reporter. Later came a series of stories, and finally, the idea to write a book for parents of micro-preemies that would be realistic, factual and most of all, encouraging. And so, Miracle Birth Stories of Very Premature Babies: Little Thumbs Up! (Bergin & Garvey, $15.95 trade paperback) was born.
The book is a compendium of stories about micro-preemies from around the United States, some are inspiring and others heart wrenching, but they share a common thread of hope.
With the help of Laurie Blacker of “Preemie Stars,” a walk team for the March of Dimes WalkAmerica, Smith made contact with parents of premature children through the Preemie L on-line chat room. The stories came from as far away as Pasadena, California and as close to home as Royal Oak, Michigan.

There is the story of Derrick and Torrey of Des Moines, Iowa, premature twins who were born weighing less than two pounds each. Smith’s book tells the heartbreaking struggle of these babies and the death of Torrey at just a few days old.

Then there’s the story of Mindy, a Boston University student who was born prematurely in 1975 weighing two pounds, six ounces. A two-pounder in the mid-1970’s didn’t have the same chances of survival as they do today. And you can’t forget Justice and Destiny. These fraternal twins were born 15 weeks early to a single mom in Baltimore. The twins were given names of bravery and hope to help them with their battles as preemies.
Each chapter tells of a different family and their struggles and triumphs. The book’s introduction was written by WDIV-TV anchorman Devin Scillian, the father of premature twin girls, Christian and Madison. Neonatologist Dr. George A. Little of Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire wrote the foreword.

But Smith realizes that not every preemie has a happy ending. “I feel so sorry for those cases that didn’t turn out as my daughter’s did,” said Smith. “Had my daughter taken a turn for the worse, who knows if I wouldn’t have written about the downside of prematurity. Miracle Birth Stories (in its third printing) is a way to offer that needed support and understanding,” he continued. “My goal was to write a resource for parents, grandparents or anyone who’s lives have been touched by the birth of  preemie.”

Today, Elizabeth Ellen Smith is a busy little kindergartner who loves Barney. She’s doing fine, just like her dad. By the way, Timothy Smith was also born premature in December 1956 about ten weeks early and weighing only a few pounds.