Warwick teen sewing blankets for preemie babies

January 28, 2019 7:35 am

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE-TV)— Zoe Coleman, a senior at Pilgrim High School, has spent countless hours sitting at her sewing machine. The Warwick teen has been busy making special receiving blankets, which will soon be wrapped around some of the tiniest babies.

“I wanted to add some color to the NICU and bring some joy to the families,” said Coleman, 17.

Each creation is a labor of love for young woman who was herself born too early. Coleman arrived on September 9, 2001 at 26 weeks gestational age. Pregnancy usually lasts about 40 weeks, according to the March of Dimes.

“I was 2 pounds, 6 ounces, and my dad always said he could fit me in his hands,” said Coleman.

Prematurity is a unique bond she shares will all of her siblings, Breana, Hunter and Stone. Sadly, Stone passed away 20 days after he was born. Coleman decided to do something to honor him for her Senior Project at school. Sewing blankets is allowing her to connect with Stone and to learn more about the months she spent in the hospital.

One of the things Coleman discovered was how hard it was for her parents to find clothes that she and her siblings weren’t swimming in. Blankets always kept them warm and comfortable while in the hospital. Blankets also help preemies maintain their body temperature, since they can’t do that on their own.

“It’s easier to see a premature baby as an object and not an actual baby because they’re under so many wires and tubes,” she explained.

Coleman is now hoping her blankets will help change the way people think. She recently made her first delivery to Women and Infants Hospital in Providence. That visit marked her first time back since she graduated from the NICU all those years ago.

“It was inspiring,” she said.