Malia's Story
For 94 days, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was a second home to Michelle
Montanini-Brown and her husband Travis Brown. Their daughter, Malia, had been born at 25 weeks gestation, almost 15 weeks before her due date. Weighing just 1 lb. 12 oz. at birth, their tiny little girl had a tough road ahead.
“It was hard, but we decided to be positive because that was the one thing we could control,” explained Michelle. “We focused on putting a smile on our faces and taking it one day at a time. We knew it would be a roller coaster, but the staff in the NICU was so amazing. They helped us so much.”
The pregnancy was not a first for Michelle. She had lost a baby in the second trimester two years earlier. They knew this pregnancy may be difficult, so they weren’t shocked when her 20-week ultrasound showed a problem.
At 24 weeks, she went into labour for the first time and her doctor placed her on bed rest. “I was basically standing on my head,” recalls Michelle. Unfortunately, bed rest didn’t work for long and she went into labour again the following week.
“When Michelle delivered the baby, the NICU team took her to a station in the room,” said Travis. “Then we heard two little cries. That was the best feeling in the world.”
He was able to touch her and get a couple of photos, but because she was so tiny, Malia was immediately sent to the NICU for specialized care. Although they couldn’t hold her at first, Michelle and Travis spent countless hours with her in the unit, learning about the machines and other equipment that was keeping her alive and letting her grow.
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“Malia wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the equipment in the NICU,” Michelle said. “I know that it’s very expensive and that’s why it’s so important for people to donate and raise money. Without that equipment, we wouldn’t have our little girl. Twenty years ago, she probably wouldn’t have survived and now she’s healthy and amazing. She’s just a miracle.”
 Travis said that after having seen what the NICU does, he will probably support it for the rest of his life. “Just knowing what the equipment does for families like us, it’s truly amazing.”
In November, more than three months after Malia’s birth, they were able to bring her home. “She’s a little hero to go through what she’s gone through and she doesn’t even know it,” said Travis as he held his healthy, beautiful daughter. Michelle agreed. “She’s full of fight and doesn’t want to back down. We’ve been waiting a long time to bring her home. We just love having her here.”
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