Santa and Mrs. Claus (Jeff and pamela Forrester) made their annual visit recently to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville.
In a time that is so incredibly overwhelming and stressful for new parents of babies in the NICU, something as simple as a visit from Santa can really work magic, according to hospital officials.
"A child's first Christmas is a very special time for a family and spending it in the hospital is simply not how you imagine your first Christmas together," said Zella Renee Chambers, a respiratory therapist in the NICU. "Parents were super excited to be able to have their first family portrait and their baby’s first photo with Santa (another one of life's most sacred moments). We had milk and cookies for siblings and families. We even made a keepsake ornament with each infant's footprint to help celebrate. This small gesture for our families brought tears of joy when the mothers saw the photos – memories they’ll be able to cherish forever. After weeks in the unit not knowing what even the next minute will hold, a visit with Santa can bring not only cheer, but a glimmer of hope."
Mrs. Claus took the photos and printed them out for the families at no cost, and each child was presented with a handmade Christmas hat.
The Medical Center had special praise for the Forresters, who, according to spokeswoman Kristin Grace, give their time every year. "They are truly a blessing to our community!!" she said in an email.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/12/483598/santa-mrs-claus-visit-ngmcs-neonatal-intensive-care-unit