Thought this was definetely worth posting. Maybe incorporate our meeting as well.
Woody
Our Story
Leighton Sophie Taylor and Jaxon Cohen were born on May 26, 2011. At only 28 weeks they were tiny little fighters who amazed us on so many levels from the very beginning. After one week they were both off of CPap, and after 2 weeks both were doing well enough to no longer need additional oxygen as well! We just knew we were on our way to taking home our healthy miracles! Our world was rocked at 12:30 am on June 16th. That is when we received the call that Leighton had an unusually high fever for a preemie. It was determined that she had Late Onset Group B Strep (GBS). The infection was so quick to take over her little body that she was in the arms of Jesus within 48 hours.
The rules in the NICU are very strict. FOR GOOD REASON! These little ones are fragile and need to have limited visitors and stimulation. However, one of the hardest things as a family, was knowing that no one ever got to meet our sweet angel. Even though she was only 3 weeks old, she had her own spunky personality. She always looked our way when we were there. She would kick her little foot over to us and shake it back and forth. She would "hum" (just like her twin brother still does) when we held her. These are just a few of the things that we wish everyone could have seen.
Our Goal
Shortly after Leighton’s death, we set up a foundation known as “Leighton’s Gift” with the intent to place baby viewing monitors on all beds in the NICU at Plano Presbyterian Hospital. This system was recently installed at Dallas Presbyterian NICU and we are currently working on getting the same system set up at Plano.
These monitors will enable parents to be able to log in to a system and actually see their baby. There are so many milestones met in the NICU that will be able to be viewed through Leighton's Gift. Families will have the opportunity to view IN REAL TIME, these milestone's (first bath, diaper changes, feedings, cuddle time, etc.). Eventually, parents will also be able to talk/sing to their precious ones through a "one-way" audio element that is also in the works. We pray that this project will help make families who are faced with a child in the NICU feel more connected and comfortable when they are not able to be there in person.
Our Plan
We would like 2013 to be the first year in an annual Motorcycle Benefit Ride for “Leighton’s Gift”. You are sure welcome to invite other riders that you think might enjoy this benefit ride.
Date: May 18, 2013
Time: 9:00 – Registration
9:00 - 10:00 – Ride Start
12:00 – 2:00 – Return to square, lunch at area establishments
1:00 – 2:00 – Raffle drawing
Meeting Place: Celina Square
The Ride: Ride North on 289 to 1417 to Denison and then back through Tioga on the way to Celina. We have contacted “Loose Wheels” in Denison as one stop. Total ride will be approximately 100 miles.
Fundraising: The riders will be charged an entrance fee of $20 for the first rider and $10 for the second. We will also have pledge sheets for all the riders to work with prior to the ride.
The Event: The riders will check in at Celina Square at a registration table and pay their registration fee. They will also turn in pledge sheets and donations. We would like to serve donuts, coffee, juice and water. All riders will be given a ride packet with a map, coupons for local eating establishments and various other items. The ride will take approximately 3-5 hours. We hope everyone will return to the square and eat at one of the local restaurants. Around 1:00 we will announce the raffle drawings and close out the day.
Sponsors: We plan to have a few corporate sponsors and will display their logos/names on a vinyl banner. If you are interested in being one of the sponsor, please let us know.
Volunteers: All volunteers will be Friends and Family
Donations: All Proceeds will be donated to “Leighton’s Gift” through Plano Presbyterian Hospital
Contact Information: Please RSVP
Penny Skaggs
6485 CR 90
Celina, TX 750089
972-382-3535
pskaggs@mytsp.net Rick Skaggs
214-416-9313 ofc
972-977-8155 cell
www.mytsp.net=
