The colors of the Rainbow are the colors of our lives. Initially, very delicate like a cloud, with time colors become more vivid to finally turn into most intense shades of gold. The world Dominick sees now is filled with dark colors. It is nothing like the delicate clouds that we are able to enjoy. If we don’t help him in time, he may never see the Rainbow; he may never see the beauty of it.
It is September 2012. The contractions are getting stronger. Drugs are less and less effective. I lay on the hospital bed and cry. Out of fear, not knowing what to expect... "Soon you will give birth" - I hear and I get scared, after all, is four months too early. Fear paralyzes me.... Dominick arrived at 23rd week on the border of survival along with the whole list of weaknesses associated with premature birth:respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory failure, necrotizing enterocolitis. The fact that he survived was not just luck, but a miracle. He weighed just over 1.5 pound. He was tiny, if I could hug him then, I would cradle him it in one hand.
For six months the intensive care unit became our home. Every day I placed my hand on the incubator believing that he feels my warmth, my love. I sang him lullabies with my breaking with tears voice. “He must hear my voice, the warmth of my hands, feel my presence- everything to make it easier on him”- I had repeated these words like a mantra. Believe me, nothing was easy those days. Dominick’s undeveloped lungs needed oxygen, obstructed bowel required immediate life-saving surgery, a tiny head fought with intracranial bleeding. As a result of oxygen therapy, Dominick developed retinopathy. At best, retinopathy itself retracts, and the intervention of a team of specialists is not necessary. Unfortunately, Dominick’s eyes were completely not ready to watch the world outside of his mom’s safe womb. Numerous laser treatments managed to save his left eye. Unfortunately, the right eye developed 5th degree retinopathy, which means that Dominic cannot see and is barely reacting to light. He tries to use his only eye to look for helping hands, smiles and support from others; unfortunately that causes a great strain to already overworked left eye.
Doctors in Poland have used all possibilities. However, like Dominick’s mother, they are fighting to improve baby’s condition. Therefore the Doctors have consulted Dominick’s case with the best clinic in the United States that specializes in the treatment of retinopathy of premature children. The answer from the William Beaumont Hospital brought a chance and a hope to Dominick and his family. Dominick’s sight can be saved with a surgery with Dr. Antonio Capone who gives him a chance to save vision in the right eye. Unfortunately this chance is very expensive. Single mom and group of specialists have been fighting for Dominick’s life for almost two years. Finally now, when there is a chance, Dominick’s mom would like to give her son every possibility to recover this precious health. Unfortunately, without your support she won’t be able to help her only son.
There is so little time left. The surgery should be performed as soon as possible to avoid the permanent and irreversible damage to the retina; to prevent Dominick from living in the darkness forever. In the next few months, Dominick’s eye should be operated on, in anotherevent the illness will progress to the point that then even money will not help.
"If I heard that there's nothing we can do - although hurtful words that would tear my heart into pieces, I would try to be the eyes for my son in fear of darkness. However, if there is a slightest chance that my son could watch the awakening of the spring, summer straw andgolden autumn I must to do anything and everything to save his eyesight. Without your help, it will not happen "- says mother.
Babies are born prematurely for various reasons, but always with the same desire to know the world. They fight for their lives for many months. We can help them in their fight for health. There is a chance for Dominick; together we can support him andprotect him from the darkness. Dominick still sees. He still has a chance. And we will help him in this!
