PRAIRIE GROVE, Ark. — The challenges faced by families with infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) can be an incredibly trying experience. Haley Skinner, a mother from Prairie Grove, is intimately familiar with this struggle, having spent the holidays in the NICU with her own child just two years ago. Now, she’s on a mission to bring solace and encouragement to families undergoing similar ordeals.
Two years ago, at a mere 25 weeks into her pregnancy, Haley Skinner underwent an emergency C-section, ushering her son, Hagen, into the world prematurely and setting in motion a demanding four-and-a-half-month NICU journey.
“At the time, I was 21, my husband was 20, so we were very young, first-time parents, and it was nothing short of terrifying,” recalled Skinner.
Today, Hagen is a healthy two-year-old, but the terrifying NICU experience inspired Haley Skinner to initiate a meaningful project aimed at aiding other families in comparable situations.
“When we couldn’t do anything else for Hagen—couldn’t feed him, he couldn’t eat by mouth, I couldn’t hold him—it felt like I couldn’t truly be his mom. But one thing I could do was read to him,” said Haley Skinner.
In the past month, the Skinner family spearheaded a heartwarming book drive, amassing over 100 children’s books donated by their community. These cherished books are now destined for local NICUs.
“We make it a point to donate these books to local NICUs, placing them in the rooms or distributing them to parents. It’s a simple yet powerful gesture to reassure moms and dads who, in moments of helplessness, may feel their babies don’t hear them. They do hear your voice, and they respond to it. Our hope with this project is to provide some comfort,” Skinner explained.
Each donated book carries with it a heartfelt prayer and a carefully inscribed bible verse.
Skinner fondly remembers how small acts of kindness made a significant impact on her family during their NICU stay.
“We were there for our first Thanksgiving, our first Christmas, our first New Year’s, and we had families bring us Christmas cards or drop off Thanksgiving plates in our room. It was the little things that mattered,” Skinner recounted.
Every year since then, the memory has remained etched in her heart.
“I feel like sometimes the NICU may be overlooked. We think about homeless shelters and various charitable causes, but those parents, and I can say that because I was one, are enduring the most challenging phase of their lives. Just knowing that someone cares about you and someone has been in your shoes can be a tremendous source of strength,” Skinner noted.
