Mighty Bee: Meet Mighty Clark

Julia and Brad never expected their pregnancy with Clark to take an unexpected turn. Having welcomed their daughter, Rosie, just two years earlier after a healthy, full-term pregnancy, they had every reason to believe this time would be much the same.

But in the middle of the night, at just 27 weeks pregnant, Julia woke up experiencing excessive bleeding. Brad immediately called 911, and Julia was rushed by ambulance to Novant Presbyterian. Doctors quickly discovered that her placenta had abrupted, putting both Julia’s life and Clark’s at risk. The medical team tried everything they could to prolong the pregnancy, but an emergency C-section became necessary.

“One moment we thought we were having a normal pregnancy, and the next we were facing a 27-week premature birth and a NICU stay we had never imagined,” Julia said.

Clark was born at 5 a.m. on February 12, 2023, weighing just 2 pounds, 12 ounces. He was immediately intubated, and Julia didn’t get to see him right after his birth. As hospital staff wheeled her toward her room, they took her through the NICU so she could catch her first glimpse of her tiny son.

She remembers staring at him with a mixture of awe and shock, overwhelmed by questions about what would happen next and whether her baby would be okay.

“He was so tiny, but even then, there was something about him that felt so strong.”

82 Days of Hope, Hardship, and Small Victories

Clark’s NICU journey lasted 82 days, bringing a steady stream of challenges, uncertainty, and milestones that would change his family’s perspective forever.

For the first 10 days of his life, Julia could only look at Clark through his incubator. When she finally held him for the first time, the moment was unforgettable.

“After spending 10 days looking at him through the NICU incubator and watching all of the machines and wires around him, finally getting to hold my son felt like one of the best days of my life,” she said. “It was overwhelming, emotional, and absolutely unforgettable.”

While Clark worked to grow stronger, Julia and Brad faced the challenge of caring for both their newborn son and two-year-old Rosie at home. They divided their days between the hospital and home, making sure neither child was left without a parent’s care.

Clark needed oxygen and feeding-tube support for approximately two months. He also underwent blood transfusions, had countless IVs, and faced complications including a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), lung disease, and repeated episodes of bradycardia and desaturation, when his heart rate or oxygen levels dropped.

One particularly frightening morning, Julia and Brad received a call asking them to come to Clark’s bedside as soon as possible. When they arrived, they learned that he had needed to be intubated again. Doctors ran tests and tried different approaches to determine what was happening and how best to support his little body. Although they still do not know exactly what caused the episode, the experience was a reminder of just how unpredictable the NICU journey could be.

Through it all, Clark kept fighting. Around the NICU, he earned the nickname “Superman.” He loved cuddles and having his head rubbed, and he worked tirelessly to master bottle-feeding. Every step forward mattered, from gradually needing less oxygen to finishing a full bottle and finally having his PDA closed.

For Julia and Brad, those seemingly small accomplishments were anything but small. Each one represented another step toward bringing their son home. On May 5, 2023, after 82 days in the NICU, that day finally arrived. Big sister Rosie met her little brother, and it was love at first sight. For the first time, all four members of the family were together at home.

A Community That Walked Alongside Them

Throughout the uncertainty of Clark’s NICU stay, Julia and Brad leaned on one another, their family and friends, and the dedicated medical team at Novant Presbyterian. They also found comfort in connecting with other NICU families who understood the experience in a way few others could.

The family first learned about Bee Mighty through a hospital social worker. Since then, Bee Mighty has continued to support Clark and his family, awarding them a grant each of the past three years.

For a family navigating the ongoing needs that can accompany a premature birth, that support has made a meaningful difference.

Clark has received physical, occupational, and speech therapy throughout his early childhood. He has also worn a helmet and glasses and continues to work hard in therapy to build strength and address left-sided weakness. Music therapy has been another valuable resource in his development.

Bee Mighty’s grants have helped the family access therapies that support Clark’s progress and improve his quality of life.

“Bee Mighty has truly been there for us from the very beginning and has continued to walk alongside our family every step of the way,” Julia said.

But the impact goes beyond financial assistance.

“Bee Mighty has been more than financial support to our family. Knowing that there is an organization in our community that believes in these children and wants to help them reach their full potential beyond the NICU has meant so much to us.”

For Julia, watching Clark work toward milestones that others might take for granted has transformed the way she sees everyday accomplishments. Learning to grasp a toy, building strength, or mastering a new skill can require tremendous effort and perseverance.

“Every milestone means so much more,” she said. “Clark has conquered so much already, and we couldn't be prouder of him.”

Today, the Sky Is the Limit

Today, Clark is three and a half years old, and his personality is every bit as remarkable as his strength. Julia describes him as “the happiest, silliest, most loving little boy.” He is independent, caring, joyful, and full of fun. He attends a wonderful morning preschool a couple of days a week, where he gets to play alongside his peers. He loves fire trucks, playing in his play kitchen, and swimming. And when asked what he wants to be when he grows up, Clark has a few career paths in mind: a fireman, a pizza maker, and a scuba diver. He brings laughter and happiness into his family’s home, and his parents never take the opportunity to watch him experience the world for granted.

Looking back, Julia encourages other NICU families to take things one day at a time, celebrate every victory, and never lose hope.

“There will be good days and really hard days,” she said. “Celebrate the little victories because those little victories eventually become huge milestones.”

She also encourages parents to accept help wherever they can find it, whether from family, friends, medical teams, fellow NICU families, or organizations like Bee Mighty.

“Most importantly, believe in your baby. I have never met anyone more brave, resilient, or strong than a NICU baby.”

Clark’s journey is a powerful reminder that a NICU stay is only one chapter in a much bigger story. With continued support, access to therapies, and a community that believes in their potential, children like Clark have opportunities to keep growing, learning, and reaching new milestones long after they leave the hospital.

As Julia puts it, “Clark has taught us that these preemies are truly unstoppable. With the right support, love, and opportunities, the sky is the limit.”

At Bee Mighty, we are honored to be part of Clark’s story and grateful to walk alongside families like his as they navigate life beyond the NICU. Clark may have started his life weighing just 2 pounds, 12 ounces, but his strength, spirit, and dreams are anything but small.