Any parent who has given birth prematurely will know that it can be a traumatic and testing time, and despite how the statistics may read, hope is an essential tool to get you through.

 

This has been illustrated in the most beautiful way this week, by a stunning video created by the Azize family.

 

When Maureen Azize gave birth to son Francis William 17 weeks early, she was told by doctors that the odds were stacked against him. Indeed, the tot – who weighed just 1lb 9oz at birth – went on to spend 118 days in intensive care, battling to survive.

 

In a bid to cheer up Francis’ parents and others in the unit, the tot’s aunt decided to decorate his whiteboard with a Finding Nemo theme – it cheered everyone up.

 

You can imagine just how touched the Azizes were then, when they were sent a video of Finding Nemo director Andrew Stanton giving a TED Talk in which he revealed that he was actually born premature.

 

 

“When I was born, I was born premature - I came out much too early and I wasn’t fully baked. I was very, very sick; and when the doctor took a look at this yellow kid with black teeth, he looked straight at my mum and said, ‘He’s not going to live’,” said Stanton.

 

Maureen, from Rhode Island, revealed that watching the video had a profound impact on her and her husband – their minds were ‘blown’ as they reflected on ‘how much Stanton had amounted to’, after being given a chance.

 

As if that wasn’t powerful enough, something truly amazing happened a few weeks later; Maureen’s brother ended up on the same flight as Stanton himself and, after hearing about Francis’ battle, the director wrote him a special note.

 

“To Francis William, just keep swimming,” read the note, quoting the famous quote from Finding Nemo.

 

After 118 days in the ICU, Francis William was finally brought home with his loving parents and, as you will be delighted to hear, he is thriving.

 

As you can imagine, the family’s video documenting Francis’ journey has overwhelmed and touched people all over the world.

 

SHARE to remind a fellow parent that hope is one of the most powerful tools they can have in their armoury.

75 Shares

Latest

Trending