After 147 days filled with uncertainty, courage, and unwavering hope, baby Avery Rae Schalmo has finally gone home — stronger than ever.

Born at just 25 weeks, Avery entered the world far earlier than expected, weighing only 1 pound 6 ounces. From her very first breath, she faced challenges that would test even the strongest hearts.

Her journey began inside the NICU at Manning Family Children’s, where she would spend nearly five months fighting to grow, heal, and survive.

During that time, Avery endured multiple serious medical conditions. She underwent emergency surgery due to a bowel perforation, battled infections, and faced retinopathy of prematurity, a condition that can affect vision in premature babies. Due to her extreme prematurity, her fragile body also suffered tiny fractures in her arms, ribs, and legs.

Each day brought new obstacles — but Avery never stopped fighting.

Surrounded by a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and therapists, she received not only expert medical care but also constant love and support. For her family, the NICU became more than a hospital — it became a second home.

Like many parents in similar situations, Avery’s family experienced both fear and hope in equal measure.

“There were moments we didn’t know what the next hour would bring,” her parents shared. “But Avery kept showing us how strong she is. She gave us the strength to keep going too.”

Through sleepless nights and emotional days, they watched their tiny daughter slowly grow stronger.

“The nurses and doctors became like family to us,” they added. “They cared for Avery not just medically, but with so much heart. We will never forget what they’ve done for our little girl.”

Day by day, ounce by ounce, Avery continued to defy the odds.

Today, she weighs 10 pounds — a remarkable milestone that once felt so far away. Even more importantly, she is now home, surrounded by love, and filling each day with smiles.

At Manning Family Children’s Level IV NICU, teams work tirelessly to care for the most fragile babies, giving them the chance every child deserves — the chance to live, grow, and be loved.