Nicola to put on her ‘Strictly’ dancing shoes in aid of TinyLife

Nicola Duff’s first little boy Callum was born at 25 weeks, weighing in at 14 ounces and fighting for his life.

Though just measuring six inches from head to toe, Callum showed signs of life when he was born crying and breathing.

He was rushed to the Neo Natal Intensive Care unit at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital in Belfast.

“The doctors told us to take one hour at a time, our little boy was fighting for his life and we could do nothing for him. A few hours later we got to see Callum, it was terrifying, he was connected to high frequency ventilator. We met TinyLife’s Family Support Officer in the neo natal unit, she offered us emotional support. On Christmas day Callum was a week old. When we arrived at the hospital there was a present from TinyLife including our first card from Callum, this meant a lot. This was the first time we got to touch our baby boy and we finally got to change his tiny nappy.

“The next few months were like a roller coaster, one minute we would watch Callum grow, next he was battling infection. He received a total of 11 blood transfusions, surgery to correct two hernias and surgery on both eyes to prevent retinal detachment which could result in blindness. We watched on as he defied all the odds.

“Almost eight weeks later Callum was transferred to Craigavon. After 101 days in neo natal we finally got to bring our baby boy home. During our time in hospital we were constantly reminded ‘Where there is Life there is hope.’”

Nicola’s second son Nathan was born at 35 weeks, weighing, 4lb 8oz. Both boys are thriving with Callum starting at St Theresa’s PS in Lurgan.

Nicola is to take to the dancefloor on November 5 in La Mon Hotel to compete for the TinyLife Does Strictly crown.