My book about being the parent of a premature baby was given to NICU families across the North East
Families with babies in NICU units across the region have been gifted a book by Sunderland author and illustrator Hannah Graham.
Hannah penned and illustrated the book from the heart after her son Peter was born three months early in 2018, weighing just 1lb 7oz, going on to be cared for in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) at Sunderland Royal Hospital until his due date.
Hannah and husband Mark’s experiences during that time inspired Hannah to create book, Looking Through the Plastic, which was launched at the hospital in Sunderland in October.
The artist shared her book with Health Innovation North East and North Cumbria who purchased enough books so that every NICU family in the North East received a copy over Christmas.
The books were accompanied by a Christmas letter from Hannah.
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She also wanted to provide one for staff on the units, so sent an additional book and Christmas card to the units to acknowledge the dedicated work of the NICU teams.
“Christmas was the hardest part of the whole of my NICU stay. Initially being unable to hold my baby on Christmas morning as he was so unwell and on boxing day on a ventilator.” Hannah said.
“But even though it was the most distressing time, the little cards, Christmas decorations and gifts that were donated were so treasured in such a difficult time. I hope my book could be a small way that I could help those families. A book written from the heart.”
Hannah says the book’s title is significant because of her own experiences looking through the plastic when Peter was looked after in an incubator, with it also inspired by Sunderland’s links to Alice in Wonderland.
The city creative, who runs Hannah Graham Story Teller, added: “I believe that books and reading can broaden understanding and empathy.
“I hope this story raises awareness about prematurity, a condition that is more common than many realise and I also want to promote the power of reading as an empowering tool for children and families.
“I wrote this book because I wanted to make a difference and help others that have been in a similar situation, as well as creating awareness of prematurity in babies.”