Dear All,

I am so happy to see this network - I don't have my own computer but 
am receiving E-mail at : RBarber@tchmail01.tchden.org

My name is Suzanne Smith-Sharp and I had a 25 week preemie, Seleste 
Marie Sharp 10 years ago. She had a typical course for that time - 
Grade IV IVH, three shunts, BPD, ROP, CP - etc. She did fairly well 
however and was walking and talking until too many shunt revisions 
caused cysts to form around the brainstem and she passed away at age 
3&1/2 years. There is a longer story, but another time.

I am the parent team member of a consortium of 21 hospital NICU's 
working in the state of Colorado to further family-centered care and 
developmentally supportive care. I work out of The Children's 
Hospital of Denver and the University of Colorado Health Sciences 
Center. Our project director is Dr. Joy Browne, a neonatal 
developmental specialist, Rose Barber is our administrative 
assistant, Ann Marie MacLeod, PT and Donna Kolar, RN are also on the 
team. It's VERY challenging work, moves slowly, but is worthwhile I 
think. If anyone out there wants more information, please let us 
know. Does everyone out there know about the Principles for 
Family-Centered Neonatal Care (Pediatrics, 1993, Helen Harrison)?  
Does everyone out there know about developmentally supportive care 
(i.e. kangaroo care, NIDCAP, etc.)?  Does everyone know about Parent 
Care, Inc.?  Just a few questions. 

Do you think this would be a good talk line for parents with babies 
in the units now? Or after they go home?

We'll talk more later. Thanks to whoever started this!!!!!