By Justin Flynn
WHEN Erin Scott was born at 28 weeks, Tara and Peter Scott feared the worst.
Erin originally tried to be born at 21 weeks, but finally settled on 28 and weighed 959 grams and could fit into her father Peter’s outstretched hand.
Erin was in intensive care for three weeks and on oxygen all the way through to discharge – almost three months after being born.
But now Erin is happy and healthy and will be turning three on 23 October, the very day that the Scott family plan to participate in the annual Walk for Prems.
The 5km Walk for Prems is a walk around Albert Park Lake in South Melbourne to support babies who were born prematurely. All funds raised at the walk go to Life’s Little Treasures Foundation which provides free support, education and understanding to families of premmies.
“We saw the posters at the Royal Women’s Hospital and thought it would be a great thing to do,” Tara said.
“We did the walk a few days after Erin was born but missed it last year. This year we’re going to do it as the event is on Erin’s birthday so we’ll do the walk, have some chocolate cake and probably go to a pub in South Melbourne somewhere for dinner.”
The Scotts will participate in the walk with some friends – one who lost a twin a couple of days after being born and another friend who had two ‘premmies’.
Doves are released before the walk to remember all the premature babies who didn’t make it. A total of $250,000 is the goal for this year’s event. At the time of writing, almost $70,000 had been raised.
To donate to the Scotts’ walk, go to secure.lifeslittletreasuresfundraising.com.au and search for Erin Scott.
