Jovie’s Story: “My Christmas in July Baby”
In July of 2017, Tasha was seven months pregnant. Even the stifling Florida heat couldn’t keep her from enjoying the anticipation of meeting her little girl in a few short months. Apparently, baby Jovie was in a bit of a hurry. On July 25, due to complications from preeclampsia, Tasha gave birth to a beautiful but dangerously tiny daughter. Because she weighed only 1 pound, 7 ounces, Jovie was immediately flown to the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where they were better equipped to treat and manage any potential issues often seen in such delicate newborns.
“This was not at all how I imagined her birth or the days that would follow,” said Tasha. “It was overwhelming.”
Not being able to take Jovie home broke Tasha’s heart. She knew her daughter was getting the expert medical care she needed, but what Tasha didn’t expect was how much the team at St. Joseph’s would be there offering the essential emotional support that helped her family adapt to a completely new way of life, particularly Child Life.
Whether it was providing some entertainment during long days and night spent by Jovie’s side, a hot cup of coffee to soothe rattled nerves, or a hand to hold as doctors gave updates on their daughter’s condition, the Child Life team became an important part of the Kelly family’s journey during a difficult three months. The relationship with Child Life became even more invaluable when hurricane Irma made getting to the hospital impossible.
“Imagine not being able to be by your baby’s side,” said Tasha. “It was unbearable. The only thing that kept us sane was knowing there were people at St. Joseph’s who loved on our Jovie like family.”
Today, Jovie is a happy and active soon-to-be 7-year-old who loves singing, writing songs, dancing, Jojo Siwa, unicorns, Frozen, reading, and making up/hearing jokes. She will be starting 1st grade this year. Thanks to the care Jovie received at St. Joseph’s, her future is bright. But her mom will never forget how St. Joseph’s and the Child Life team was there for her family when they needed them most.
