Carrick girl’s ‘inspirational story’ gives hope to families

Anita and Terry Hogg’s daughter Alexandra, who was born at 28 weeks, weighing just 2lb 3oz, features in a new publication by children’s photographer Dawn McKeown in support of charity.

Dawn, from Dawn McKeown Photography, Ballymena, has teamed up with TinyLife to produce the publication. Funded by the Ballymena Rotary Club, its features a collection of stunning images along with heart-rending stories of survival against all odds written by the families of premature babies who have born in Northern Ireland over the past 20 years.

Sadly, premature birth affects around 2000 babies born here every year. Many of these infants are subject to prolonged stays in neonatal intensive care units and will have life disabling conditions such as cerebral palsy and chronic lung disease. It is a traumatic time for all of the family, as they watch on, helplessly, willing their baby to survive.

“The baby was not due for over three months; Anita was just beginning to show, nothing had been bought, antenatal classes had not yet begun. We didn’t even have time to think about the seriousness of what was happening,” Terry Hogg recalled.

An image of Alexandra playing a flute is included in the book, believed to be the first publication of its kind to hit shelves in Northern Ireland and profits from every copy will go to TinyLife.

Dawn McKeown said: “As a specialist child photographer, I come across parents who have been through the turmoil and uncertainty of premature birth. When these parents see portraits of their child smiling and healthy, they always comment on how they never thought they would get through those early days. I realised that by showing the world how amazing and strong these little fighters are that this book could offer some hope to others in similar situations.”

Samara Prentice, Events & PR officer for TinyLife, added: “The book is full of inspirational stories, just like Alexandra’s which highlights the trauma and heartache suffered by so many people in Northern Ireland as they will their baby to survive.

“Every day really is a milestone for the families that we support and we hope that the book will be a light of the end of the tunnel for the many families who are affected by premature birth, not just in Northern Ireland but around the world’.

The book will retail at £10 and is available now from TinyLife offices on 02890 815050 or from Dawn McKeown Photography, Ballymena, on 02825 632816.