October 2025 – Born prematurely at 26 weeks, one pound and 9 ounces, with chronic lung failure, Samantha and Darius welcomed their newborn daughter, Dream. The couple didn’t think their journey as a new family would start with hospitalization.

At nine months, Dream came to La Rabida, unable to breathe on her own needing a tracheostomy and ventilator, sedated from medication, but full of potential.

“I never thought I’d be able to have my own children, and I did. I never thought my daughter would get better and she is,” said Samantha.

Dream’s journey started out slow and steady, which helps develop the skills babies need to regulate emotions, and process the world around them – without feeling overwhelmed.

Laura Kahan, Infant Development Manager, leads a team of specialists who are solely focused on a patient’s growth. It can be difficult to decipher what an infant needs, especially when they’re persevering through complex and chronic conditions, like Dream.

“Even as an infant, you can learn so much about who they are, and that’s where our care starts,” said Kahan. “Dream is strong, motivated, and cautious. We worked together to evolve with new ideas and goals, as she developed.”

Our staff carefully curated a plan for each day to help Dream progress comfortably because she went at her own pace. Kahan says the turning point in Dream’s journey came at three months in our inpatient unit. She smiled with each interaction with her care team and family.

“It was so crazy to see my baby girl, who came so far from being so small and seeing her thrive,” said Samantha.

With mom and dad by her side, and our expert care, Dream built bonds with her caregivers and family and her personality shined as she grew stronger and learned to breathe on her own. She stayed engaged during playgroups with other patients, and sought out sensory stimulation, showing she had the skills she needed to go home.

“It was a very hard journey but together we were the ‘Dream team’ and she wouldn’t be here without all of us working together! Thanks to her therapist, nurses and doctors. Even the cleaning crew and security guards were cheering for her and that’s not something you get everywhere. After many years our Dream finally came true, literally.”

Dream has blossomed into a 23-pound adventurous and playful child, happy and living the life Samantha and Darius had hoped for all these years.