OF THEM. VALENTINE’S DAY WEEKEND IS A TIME FOR COUPLES TO CELEBRATE THEIR LOVE, THEIR PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE, AND THIS TAKES ON A WHOLE NEW MEANING FOR COUPLES WITH NEWBORNS IN THE HOSPITAL. THAT’S WHY GOOD SAM HOSPITAL HOSTED A SPECIAL NIGHT FOR FAMILIES WITH BABIES IN THE NICU. NEWS FIVE’S ERIN THOMAS HAS THE STORY. IT’S TAKEN A GOOD LITTLE LOAD OFF OF MY SHOULDER. I’VE BEEN PRETTY STRESSED THIS WEEK, BUT AS THE DAYS GO ON, THEY START TO GET BETTER. A NIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL, BUT MAKE IT A FIVE STAR DATE NIGHT. ERIC AND PATRICE SCHEER PLANNED ON CELEBRATING THEIR LOVE OVER A NICE DINNER AND MOVIE, BUT THEIR NEWBORN BABY, LEILANI IS CAPTURING THEIR AFFECTION. BORN FEBRUARY 6TH, SPENDING DAYS IN THE NICU FOR BREATHING PROBLEMS. WE’RE JUST WAITING ON HER LUNGS TO KIND OF DO THEIR THING AND OPERATE CORRECTLY WITHOUT THE SUPPORTED OXYGEN. A SHARED EXPERIENCE FOR ALL THESE COUPLES. GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL BRINGING THEM TOGETHER FOR A VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER. BRINGING CALM IN THE MIDST OF NERVOUS NIGHTS. EMOTIONALLY, WE DIDN’T KNOW IF WE WANTED TO EVEN GO OUT TO EAT OR DO ANYTHING LIKE THAT. SO THIS IS NICE. NOT HAVE TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL AND STILL GET TO DO SOMETHING NICE TO EACH OTHER WITH EACH OTHER. A TRADITIONAL DATE NIGHT DIDN’T PAN OUT FOR AARON AND CORTNEY PASKE, THEIR LITTLE ONE. AUBREE, BORN FIVE WEEKS EARLY WITH LUNG ISSUES. WE WERE IN THE NICU CONSTANTLY AND IT’S EXHAUSTING. ABBY HAGER AND HER HUSBAND KNOW THE FEELING ALL TOO WELL. THEIR FORMER NICU TWINS ARE NOW 16. THEY UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH A NIGHT LIKE THIS MEANS TO THESE FAMILIES. THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO CARE, AND THAT THE MARCH OF DIMES CARES. RUTH LYONS CARES. GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL CARES INDIVIDUALLY ABOUT EVERY SINGLE FAMILY, BRINGING JOY AND KEEPING THE LOVE CONNECTION ALIVE. THAT WAS OUR AARON THOMAS REPORTING. SO GOOD. SAM SAYS THEY HAVE ABOUT 50 BABIES IN THEIR NICU, INCLUDING A SET OF QUADRUPLETS. WE REPORTED ON EARLIER THIS WEEK AND A SET OF TRIPLETS. MONEY FROM T
Valentine’s Day looked different for families with babies at Good Samaritan Hospital in Ohio.The hospital hosted a special date night for parents whose babies are in the neonatal intensive care unit, offering support during an emotional time. “It’s taking a good little load off my shoulder. I’ve been stressed this week, but as the day goes on, stuff gets better,” said Eric Shearer, whose newborn daughter, Elani, has been in the NICU since Feb. 6 with breathing problems. “We’re just waiting on her lungs to do their thing and operate correctly without support of oxygen,” his wife Patrice Shearer said. Another couple, Aaron and Courtney Paaske, spent the holiday at the hospital. Their daughter, Aubrey, was born five weeks early with lung issues. “Emotionally, we didn’t know if we wanted to go out to eat,” Aaron Paaske said. “So this is nice to not have to leave the hospital and still get to do something nice with each other.”The event hits close to home for donor Abby Hanger, a former NICU parent with twins who are now 16 years old. “We were in the NICU constantly, and it’s exhausting,” Hanger said. “There are people out there who care and the March of Dimes cares, Ruth Lyons cares, Good Samaritan Hospital cares, individually about every single family.” Hospital leaders said about 50 babies are currently in the NICU, including a set of quadruplets and a set of triplets. March of Dimes, in partnership with Kevin and Abby Hanger, made the dinner possible for NICU parents. Funding from the Ruth Lyons Children’s Fund helped cover decorations and gifts for families.
Valentine’s Day looked different for families with babies at Good Samaritan Hospital in Ohio.
The hospital hosted a special date night for parents whose babies are in the neonatal intensive care unit, offering support during an emotional time.
“It’s taking a good little load off my shoulder. I’ve been stressed this week, but as the day goes on, stuff gets better,” said Eric Shearer, whose newborn daughter, Elani, has been in the NICU since Feb. 6 with breathing problems.
“We’re just waiting on her lungs to do their thing and operate correctly without support of oxygen,” his wife Patrice Shearer said.
Another couple, Aaron and Courtney Paaske, spent the holiday at the hospital. Their daughter, Aubrey, was born five weeks early with lung issues.
“Emotionally, we didn’t know if we wanted to go out to eat,” Aaron Paaske said. “So this is nice to not have to leave the hospital and still get to do something nice with each other.”
The event hits close to home for donor Abby Hanger, a former NICU parent with twins who are now 16 years old.
“We were in the NICU constantly, and it’s exhausting,” Hanger said. “There are people out there who care and the March of Dimes cares, Ruth Lyons [Children’s Fund] cares, Good Samaritan Hospital cares, individually about every single family.”
Hospital leaders said about 50 babies are currently in the NICU, including a set of quadruplets and a set of triplets.
March of Dimes, in partnership with Kevin and Abby Hanger, made the dinner possible for NICU parents.
Funding from the Ruth Lyons Children’s Fund helped cover decorations and gifts for families.
