Updated on September 2, 2005 at 5:05 p.m.
Posted on September 1, 2005 at 1:20 p.m.
BIRMINGHAM, AL — Parents and relatives of the evacuated hurricane babies spoke with local and national media outlets today, describing their own sagas in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Tuesday and Wednesday, the UAB Critical Care Transport Team evacuated seven babies from the gulf region — six from Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, and one from Lafayette, Louisiana. Five babies were brought to UAB's Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (RNICU) and two were taken to The Children's Hospital in Birmingham. Of the five babies UAB received, one was discharged Wednesday, Aug. 31. The four remaining newborns — two boys and two girls – range from serious to good condition. None of the babies have suffered medical complications from Hurricane Katrina or their transport. UAB will continue to keep a close watch on the babies' health conditions and will continue its efforts to unite the children with their parents.
Below are photos of Tracy and Jon Davis of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and their son, Maxx, who were reunited at UAB Hospital September 1. Maxx was evacuated by UAB’s Critical Care Transport Team from Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, where he was born three-and-a-half weeks early on August 16. His parents and his older brother weathered the storm at their home before losing power and water. Unable to return to New Orleans to be with Maxx, they stayed with family until they received word that Maxx had been safely transported to UAB. After a treacherous journey from south Mississippi, the parents arrived in Birmingham and were able to hold their son for the first time. They are now relieved to be here and to be with their son again.
UAB is working to establish a fund where donations can be made for these babies and their families. The hospital does not need diapers or other infant-related items and cannot accept flowers or other gifts. More details will be available on the UAB Web site (www.uab.edu) and hotline (205-975-0544) as they become available.
Downloadable Images
To save images from your browser window, follow these directions:
- Windows users: follow the "Download now" link below and then right-click the large image — select "Save picture as ..." from the menu to save the image to your local computer.
- Macintosh users: follow the "Download now" link below and then control-click (hold down control while clicking) the large image — select "Download Image to Disk" to save the image to your local computer.
Image Size: |
|
Image Size: |
|
Image Size: |
|
Image Size: |
|
Image Size: |
|
Image Size: |
|
Image Size: |
|
Image Size: |