‘One incredible little girl’
Published 12:00 am Friday, May 6, 2016
LaGRANGE — In 1990, Brooke Davies was an outgoing 2 year old as ambassador of the March of Dimes’ March for Babies. This year, her daughter Kylee Beth is an outgoing 2 year old and ambassador of the March of Dimes’ March for Babies.
“I am truly blessed,” Davies said. “I would have never thought that we would be in the same position as my family was 25 years ago. It is an honor.”
Kylee Beth’s journey to follow in her mother’s footsteps started June 15, 2014 — Father’s Day — when Davis said her family’s “lives changed forever, and our world turned upside down.” Kylee Beth was born at Northside Hospital in Atlanta after Davies spent two days in premature labor that started in LaGrange. She was transferred to Columbus for an ultrasound that showed a duodenal atresia, where Kylee Beth’s intestines were not attached to her stomach, and indications she likely had Down syndrome.
“I was given a steroid shot to help in the development of Kylee Beth’s lungs and slow down the premature labor,” Davies said. “The March of Dimes helps to fund the steroids given to prevent prematurity, from research to find answers and solutions to comforting families with critically sick babies.”
She was delivered 10 weeks early by emergency C-section. She weighed 3 pounds, 10 ounces, spent 63 days in neonatal intensive care and underwent surgery to repair her detached intestines.
Despite her harsh beginning, Davies said Kylee Beth is a happy, outgoing child who cheers up everyone around her.
“Everyone that meets her, falls in love with her,” Davies said. “She definitely has a contagious smile. … She is my number one inspiration. Yes, I know I overcame the odds, but she continues to amaze us daily. She is one incredible little girl who has fought her way to where she is today. I can look at her and know that, with all the problems in the world, everything will be OK.”
Davies credits the March of Dimes for helping secure Kylee Beth’s future during her uncertain delivery.
“If it had not been for the research of the March of Dimes and the proven drugs, Kylee Beth would have not developed properly from being premature,” Davies said. “… Without the March of Dimes and all of their supporters, babies born premature and with disabilities would not get the proper medical attention at the early stages of birth and development. The March of Dimes helps save the lives of many babies.”
The family — which includes Kylee Beth’s father, Rob, and sister, Abby Kate — are excited about participating in Saturday’s annual run and ready to raise awareness for the cause.
“We are truly thankful for the March of Dimes and their absolute commitment to improve the health of all babies,” Brooke Davies said. “They work so hard to prevent other families from going through what we did. We are forever grateful.”
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The 26th annual Troup County March for Babies is Saturday, May 7, at Hollis Hand Elementary School, 641 Country Club Road. Registration and team photos begin at 8:30 a.m. and the walk is 10 a.m. Participants can walk a 3-mile route that begins and ends at Hollis Hand Elementary School, which is followed by a picnic. Anyone wanting to register for the walk and raise money may visit www.marchforbabies.org. More information is available by calling 706-845-0708.
