Graham's Foundation

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in life that we forget to check in on ourselves.

➡ Ask yourself, how are you REALLY feeling today? Then allow yourself some time to reflect.

If you are comfortable sharing, let us know in the comments below⬇

💙 If you are not in a good place and looking for someone to talk to, please reach out and request a Preemie Parent Mentor here: https://www.grahamsfoundation.org/preemie-mentor-program

For all Preemie Parents and their families. 💙

We don’t “get over” or “move on” from trauma. We learn to make space for it, carry it, and keep going with it.

And at Graham's Foundation, we see this every day in NICU families. The weight doesn’t disappear... but you don’t have to carry it alone.

That’s why our Preemie Parent Mentor Program exists. To connect you with someone who’s been there. Someone who gets it in a way words often can’t.

Because healing doesn’t always mean moving on. Sometimes it means being understood… and finding a way to keep going anyway.

Connect with a Preemie Parent Mentor here:
https://www.grahamsfoundation.org/preemie-mentor-program

❕June 27th is PTSD Awareness Day❕

It's a day to spread the word about self-screening. That said, you can take the screen ANY time. The goal is to help you get the treatment you deserve. If you are concerned about someone else, you can share the PTSD self-screen with them.

Here is the link: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/screen/

*Please note: Online screening tools are not diagnostic instruments. You are encouraged to share your results with a physician or healthcare provider*

If you would like to be connected with one of our trained Preemie Parent Mentors, please reach out here: https://www.grahamsfoundation.org/preemie-mentor-program

🩷 For many preemie parents, bringing a baby home from the NICU isn’t the end of the fear—it’s the beginning of learning how to live with everything they've been through.

After weeks or months of monitoring feeds, medications, appointments, and every tiny detail, a parent's nervous system can remain stuck in survival mode. What may look like overprotectiveness is often a trauma response rooted in love and the experience of caring for a medically fragile baby.

Our latest resource explores NICU trauma, anxiety, and why feeling “on alert” can persist long after discharge—plus practical ways loved ones can offer meaningful support.

Read the full article at ➡ https://www.grahamsfoundation.org/resources/understanding-trauma%2C-anxiety%2C-and-survival-mode-after-a-premature-birth

This article was adapted from the work of Shahla Fisher De Leon , a Graham's Foundation Preemie Parent Mentor, doula, and preemie parent coach. We're grateful for her compassionate insight and advocacy for preemie families. 🩵