Rating: 
Summary: I wish we had this book available when our son was born...
Review: As the contributor of one of the stories in this book, I've been anxiously awaiting its arrival since I wrote the story. There's also no 'pocket padding' here in plugging this book since I receive nothing but intense pride for my contribution. The purpose of this book is not to make money (although more sales would allow more to be printed). The purpose of this book is to give hope to parents and family when they believe there is none to be had. This book definitely meets that criteria. From front to back, the stories are jam-packed with the full gamut of emotions, all of which we felt when Zak (Chigger) was born. So buy the book and read the stories, keeping some Kleenex handy. You won't regret it. And if you're touched by them as much as others, get an extra copy for your local NICU, ICU, pediatric office, school, parent of a preemie child, or whatever. Let others know there is always hope.
Rating:
Summary: VERY engrossing, even for the non-NICU parents
Review: how would i describe this book? engrossing, heartfelt, heartbreaking, encouraging, emotional, wonderful!
all of the babies do survive in this book, but not all come out unscathed. all the parents mention how the child is affected now by their problems. some stories are short, some are long, but they are all so heartfelt,and true! you can't help but be engaged by these stories, that are not at all what you expect. you cry with the parents, and get excited when they do well. you are amazed what these kids go through. since the stories are written by the parents, it is firsthand knowledge, and no two stories are told in the same manner,and each one is so important to the writer, which is conveyed in the story.
i really recommend this book!!
Rating: 
Summary: A NICU nurses's opinion...
Review: I am an RN and I worked in NICU 10 years ago...it was an experience I will never forget. Like the mothers in Living Miracles, I too came to realize that dealing with the roller coaster experiences in the life of a preemie can be difficult to handle. The 'one step forward, three steps back' is a way of life for these little ones, and for their parents. I applaud the parents who submitted their stories to the authors. Sharing the ups and downs of premature birth indeed encourage others when they are facing the same. In reading this book, I was reminded of how my role as nurse affected the parents. It also provided me more insight into how nurses responses are understood (and misunderstood) by the parents. I highly recommend it to both the preemie parents as well as the NICU nurse.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Powerful Collection of Experiences
Review: I am the "Sara" profiled in the book, and what an honor it was to be selected as one of the many subjects described in this first-hand account by parents of premature babies. My mother gave me the task of typing her manuscript for this book, and I became so emotionally--overwhelmed that I had to stop and go back to it a few days later! Seeing my mother's story through my adult eyes was a whole new way of reading about the experience of prematurity, especially because her story was recalling my own battle. This collection is an important addition to the roster of books about premature babies because it's stories are the stories of parents who have experienced prematurity first-hand. This intimate narrative will doubtless provide comfort and give parents of premature babies the opportunity to relate to the experiences highlighted therein, as well as contribute to more frequent discussion about the subject.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Powerful Collection of Experiences
Review: I am the "Sara" profiled in the book, and what an honor it was to be selected as one of the many subjects described in this first-hand account by parents of premature babies. My mother gave me the task of typing her manuscript for this book, and I became so emotionally--overwhelmed that I had to stop and go back to it a few days later! Seeing my mother's story through my adult eyes was a whole new way of reading about the experience of prematurity, especially because her story was recalling my own battle. This collection is an important addition to the roster of books about premature babies because it's stories are the stories of parents who have experienced prematurity first-hand. This intimate narrative will doubtless provide comfort and give parents of premature babies the opportunity to relate to the experiences highlighted therein, as well as contribute to more frequent discussion about the subject.
Rating:
Summary: very heart touching
Review: I cried in every single stories of this book. they are very touching. and yes, i could relate to all of the stories in there, especially the stories on very premature babies. the stories definitely gave me hopes on my baby's future (who was born 10 weeks premature). this book is really a good source for parents with premature babies.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I really enjoyed this book--the honesty of the personal testimonies really hit home. An excellent resource for parents of premature babies. As for the "be truthful" post, while everyone is entitled to their own opinion, the personal situations of the writers having to cope with the trauma of premature babies is at times overwhelming, but to judge their behavior is really neither here nor there. The important thing is that these babies made it and are indeed "living miracles." Everyone copes differently with trauma, but, ultimately, the babies (and parents) survived to write about it. That sense of triumph over adversity is the resonating theme one gets from this book--and what we should concentrate on as reviewers rather than personal expose's.
Rating: 
Summary: It scared me...
Review: I was given this book as a gift a week after my son was born at 1 lb. 13. oz. It scared me to read about all the terrible things that went wrong with other parents' babies, and I couldn't finish the book. However, there is a great chapter in the book that explains the feelings of a recently-made 'preemie parent' that I could really relate to, and a wonderful poem/prayer to the doctors and nurses of the NICU. It's a book that perhaps I can appreciate now that my son is home and doing well, but I would hesitate to give it to any new 'preemie parent'.
Rating: 
Summary: I wish I had a book like "Living Miracles".
Review: I was introduced to the preemie world after giving birth to my son at 32 weeks gestation. I looked for books about prematurity and found numerous medical related books. But, I needed a book similar to, "Living Miracles: Stories of Hope from Parents of Premature Babies."I wanted to read about other parents who experienced the same roller coaster ride of emotions and learn how they coped with the one-step-forward-five-steps-back situations. I always knew in the back of my mind that my baby might not live, but I wanted to hear about the babies that did survive. I wanted hope and inspiration from parents who knew what I was going through. "Living Miracles: Stories of Hope from Parents of Premature Babies" is a tear-jerking, heartwarming book filled with inspiration, hope and insight. You will get a glimpse into the lives of more than twenty families of premature babies born between 23 to 36 weeks' gestation including newborn and current photos of all the preemies. Whether you are a parent or family member of a preemie, or are just curious about the world of prematurity, "Living Miracles: Stories of Hope from Parents of Premature Babies" is sure to make you believe miracles do happen. It is my goal to give parents what I didn't have...a book filled with hope and inspiration.
Rating:
Summary: I've been down this road . . .
Review: I went down this dark road after the premature birth of my daughter at 27 weeks gestation. Living Miracles offers hope to those who might feel their situation is hopeless, but it is not for the faint of heart. To be the mother or father of a premature child, especially with one who develops problems, one must learn to be strong, resilient, loving, and patient. It is a selfess calling, as these parents show us. And it always, always helps to know you are not alone . . . Thank you for sharing!
|
