Evan’s Project provides photos for hospitalized infants
by June 20, 2011 2:59 pm 175 views
story and photos by Ruby Dean
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An expectant mother’s hopes and dreams grow even faster than her fetus. Thoughts of bringing home a newborn to hold close and love unconditionally is a mother’s dream.
Along with a wonderful euphoria that surrounds pregnancy comes a clean slate that holds any number of futures a mother can dream for her and her baby.
But sometimes dreams are cut short.
At approximately 20-21 weeks comes the first ultrasound of the precious cargo. Following this ultrasound, another is scheduled for a couple of weeks because the technicians can’t get a good view of the child’s heart. Nothing yet about which to be scared.
Two weeks pass and the second ultrasound is performed, only to be told there is something wrong and an appointment is made in Little Rock to be seen by a neonatal cardiologist. After seeing the cardiologist, it is discovered the child has a heart defect, but the defect may be fixed or minimized through a series of surgeries.
Upon delivery, there is more wrong than expected. The prognosis is grim and your child will not survive because there is nothing the doctors can do to help. This precious cargo on which so many hopes and dreams were pinned for have now been taken away.
On March 10, 2009, that precious cargo, Evan Bumgarner, was born. He lived for six short days. Within those six days, he made an impact on his family and friends. His family stayed close to him until the end.
The parents were told on several occasions to take pictures, but it just never crossed their minds. However, the nurses at Children’s Hospital in Little Rock did take pictures of Evan and gave them to his parents. They were newborn photos a parent normally captures and treasures. Looking back on it, they are thankful for the photos and would not trade them for anything.
One of the mother’s best friends wanted to show that Evan would not be forgotten and decided to honor his memory and attempt to relieve some of the pain for the parents — to let them know something good could come of it all.
With the help of the Ronald McDonald House, Stephanie Freeman created “Evan’s Project.”
Evan’s Project provides photography services to families with babies in the local neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU). The project now has 10 professional photographers who volunteer their time to come to the hospital and take the photos. It does not matter how long or how short their stay is in the NICU, every parent has the opportunity to have their baby’s picture taken.
The first photographic shoot was held on Mother’s Day at St. Edward’s Hospital and the most recent shoot was held Father’s Day.
Through Evan’s Project, his life continues to impact other families and their little blessings. For more information on this project, visit the the Evan’s Project page on Facebook.
