I read, the other day, that stress has increased by 35% in the last year for most people. With new technology causing more isolation, alienation, and stress, we need to take the time and make the effort to connect in
I am reminded of a story I read in 1995 of two twin baby girls. When they were born, Oct. 17, 1995, they were premature by 12 weeks and put in the neonatal intensive care unit of the Medical Center in Central Massachusetts in Worcester. As a standard practice of the hospital, the babies were placed into separate incubators in order to reduce the risk of infection.
One baby, Kyrie, was much larger than her sister Brielle, who only weighed two pounds at her birth. The larger baby, Kyrie, slept well and was healthily gaining weight, but her smaller sister, Brielle, was having trouble breathing and had low levels of oxygen in her blood, as well as low weight gain and problems with her heart rate. Everyone was deeply concerned, especially a particular nurse named Gayle Kasparian, who was trying everything that she could think of to help Brielle.
Then, on Nov. 12th, Brielle had an emergency health situation. She started gasping for air and started turning a gray-blue color; then she got hiccups and her heart rate went way up. Everyone was so afraid Brielle would not survive.
In desperation, nurse Kasparian remembered a common procedure a fellow colleague had mentioned to her once, that was common practice in most of Europe, but not done here in that country. It was the practice of placing newborn baby multiple births in beds together.
They called it double bedding. Even though she could not ask permission from her manager, because she was away and not able to
The moment they were together, Brielle immediately snuggled up to her sister and within minutes, Brielle’s readings for her blood and oxygen were better than they had been since her birth. Kyrie gently put her arm around Brielle. It was such a beautiful, heartwarming, loving hug.
In the article I read, they called it a rescuing hug. It was a very powerful hug. Being together had quite literally saved Brielle’s life. It wasn’t much later that the parents were able to take the girls home, because they both were thriving.
Nurse Gayle did not get in trouble. In fact, the practice of double bedding multiple births is now a standard practice at the hospital. Sometimes, breaking the rules can lead to changes in old antiquated practices. It takes courage and a strong heart to do what you believe in.
More recently, CNN’s, Lisa Sylvester, did an updated report on the girls and showed them as teenagers. They said it was a hug that changed the course in medicine. Here is the news update.
So, as we lead our busy lives, remember that our connectedness and our ability to love are so precious, that we can literally save another’s life by just being there for them. Share those wonderful hugs and smiles with your loved ones. Take the time to truly listen, (while looking them in the eye, avoiding multitasking: being on your cell phone, computer, or watching TV.), be present, and reach out with the most precious gift you can give. That is the precious gift of you. You may never know how much of an impact that hug or smile might have on another’s life, but it is something you can give
I am mentally sending love and hugs to you all!
Love, Nancy
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By Nancy Addison CHC, AADP.
Nancy Addison is a certified health counselor, nutritionist, chef, as well as a certified practitioner of Psychosomatic Therapy. She teaches people about living a healthier, happier life through nutrition and lifestyle. She has appeared on NBC, Fox, CBS, and in documentaries (one example- “Eating You Alive”). You can reach her on her website, Organic Healthy Life, or find
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