Specialty Services
Meet Chrissy
As the tiny baby’s life hung in the balance, her mother, Donna, was told her child would probably not survive the night. However, Chrissy had two things going for her: her strength—remarkable for a preemie—and the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Response team. In need of multiple lifesaving surgeries, she was airlifted to Children’s.
Within 18 hours of being born, Chrissy had undergone two complex operations. She was transferred to the Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where she was placed on a breathing tube and ventilator. During a slow recovery, her tiny hands were fighting the breathing tube as she displayed her amazing strength and tried to breathe on her own.
Although her recuperation was progressing well, Chrissy developed jaundice and stayed in the NICU. As she improved, Chrissy had additional surgeries to correct her birth defects. She battled life-threatening complications, including acute bronchitis and pneumonia, yet recovered from each and went home a very healthy child, growing bigger and stronger every day.
“The doctors and nurses were incredibly supportive,” recalled Donna. “They cautioned me that Chrissy may have developmental challenges and ran the possibility of bleeding on her brain, but they were just as thrilled as I was to watch her heal.”
Donna was so moved by her experience that she had to find a way to give back. Inspired by the nurturing care Chrissy had received, she decided to enter the healthcare profession herself. Donna attained her emergency medical technician certification in 1996 and her paramedic certification in 1999. When the chance came to join the Children’s Response team in May 2005, she happily accepted.
“Each time the team transports a child,” said Donna, “it brings me back to when my daughter was at Children’s. I think about Chrissy every day and remember the many doctors, nurses and specialists who helped save her life.”
Donna’s pride in her calling is matched only by that in her daughter. An exceptional student and talented artist, Chrissy turned 12 years old recently and is just as proud of her mom.