Meet Drew

Drew was born at 31 weeks, weighing just 3 lbs. 4oz. He spent 48 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, and for much of that time, he was on oxygen and fighting for his life. 

Seven days after he was born, doctors performed a brain scan and told us news we never wanted to hear: Drew had a Stage 4 bilateral brain bleed, the worst bleed you can have. What was most frightening about this information was that there was no way to predict his quality of life; it was a very scary waiting game to see how he would develop. They told us to take him home, love him, interact with him, and treat him normally-just like any other child-and that is what we did.  

At 14 months, doctors diagnosed Drew with spastic right hemiplegia cerebral palsy and told us he might never walk without assistance. However, he proved them wrong. Drew doesn’t just walk; he runs. He’s also wild, funny, and very ornery. 

So far, the doctors all are impressed with the way he is developing, but he still has a long road ahead of him. We go to ChildServe, in Coralville, Iowa, each week for physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Drew also gets help at school, and we work on his motor skills at home. 

Drew amazes us every single day. He is in second grade at Clear Creek Elementary in Oxford, Iowa. He drives a go-cart, plays baseball and flag football, and wrestles. We’re very thankful for his health care team.