2019 Holiday Giving

 2019 ADOPTED FAMILY - UPDATED FEBRUARY 2020

*Please note that ages are at time of adoption.

This was the Bates family’s 23rd year of adopting families with our family and friends and our 15th year adopting families through the Macomb Infant Preschool Program (MIPP). We "completely adopted" two families and as usual, our families needed some super special care! Our two adopted deserving families with children with special needs are as follows:

Mykell's Family

UPDATE: Mykell turned three and transitioned to a Physically or otherwise health impaired (POHI) program.  He continues to be dependent on his ventilator, but they are hopeful that they can try to wean him off of the ventilator later in the spring.  

Mykell is a two year old little boy who lives with his Mom, Sabrina (age 38), and sisters Kaylenna (age 8) and Ariana (age 1). Dad does not live in the home, but helps out somewhat monetarily as he is able. He does visit his children.  When Mom was 20 weeks pregnant with Mykell she found out that he had a heart defect. They induced her at full-term. When Mykell was born Mom was able to hold him for a couple minutes before he went to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). He was transferred to Children's Hospital that day and at age 3 weeks, Mykell had his first open heart surgery. His oxygen was so low after surgery that they did not think he was going to live through the night, but he is a fighter! 

During his five months in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) post-surgery, he received a tracheotomy and vent. His heart defect has been diagnosed as truncus arteriosus pulmonary atresia:

Truncus arteriosus is a birth defect of the heart. It occurs when the blood vessel coming out of the heart in the developing baby fails to separate completely during development, leaving a connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery. Credit to: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/heartdefects/truncusarteriosus.html

This past spring at 2 years of age, Mykell had his second open heart surgery that lasted 16 1/2 hours and required a month and a half in the PICU post surgery for recovery. Sabrina says, "I am so blessed that I have him in my life.... I know my baby is sick, but every day when he's here he teaches me something". Mom cannot work due to the extensive needs of Mykell. 

The family was sick with the flu over Christmas, but was EXTREMELY grateful for the help and presents.  

Chase's Family

UPDATE: Chase transitioned to the Macomb Infant Preschool Program's (MIPP) Rockwell location, with services for children over 3 years of age, after the first of the year.  He is doing remarkably well and is even walking now!

Chase is a one year old little boy who lives with his Mom, DaiJa (age 23). Dad is not in the picture and does not contribute to Chase's support. Chase was born very early at 26 weeks and weighed only 1 pound 12 ounces.  Immediately at birth, Chase had to be rushed to the NICU to be placed on a breathing tube and to treat him for heart issues including an irregular heartbeat and two holes in his heart. He remained in the NICU for three months and had to continue breathing treatments at home once he was discharged. While in the hospital, they found that he had retinopathy of prematurity:

"Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially blinding eye disorder that primarily affects premature infants weighing about 2¾ pounds (1250 grams) or less that are born before 31 weeks of gestation (a full-term pregnancy has a gestation of 38–42 weeks). The smaller a baby is at birth, the more likely that baby is to develop ROP. This disorder — which usually develops in both eyes — is one of the most common causes of visual loss in childhood and can lead to lifelong vision impairment and blindness."  Credit to: https://nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinopathy-prematurity

The little family lives in an apartment and Mom tries to make ends meet by doing cosmetology related services from her home. Mom's work helps them to get by with rent, but they are struggling. 

Kohl's on 26 Mile Road in Shelby Township, generously gave us significant discounts on the merchandise that we purchased in their store, made a $500 contribution, and helped to wrap the gifts for our families. 

This year our family needed and we provided: Food gift cards, winter coats, a crib, a pack n' play, high chairs, pajamas, winter clothing, shoes, socks, boots, hats, gloves, diapers & wipes, a baby gate, pots and pans, a vacuum. bedding/sheets, comforters, books and toys.