Baby Nathaniel’s birthday becomes fundraiser for other miracle babies

Born at 27 weeks, Nathaniel was not expected to live. Now he’s about to turn one and is inviting the masses to his birthday party—all in an effort to help support other families who start their children’s lives in the NICU.

Baby Nathaniel’s parents, Stephanie and Gregory Palmer, stood in faith that their son would defy every odd and not only live but thrive. Armed with faith and a hashtag #NathanielThrives, they launched a prayer campaign among family and friends. As Stephanie told Live Action News in February:

Now a bit of that destined greatness is coming forth in his giant birthday party, an event called Strive2Thrive, which will help other families as they contend for their children to thrive in the NICU.

Stephanie gave Live Action News more details on the event:

Strive2Thrive will take place on October 29 at 9:30 a.m. in Marion, Texas, where there will be “a rose memorial for all the babies who left too soon.” That will be followed by the run at 10 a.m. “We plan to have music, dancing, food, and a brief talk about why we’re doing it all,” Stephanie says.

The reason the Palmers chose to use their son’s first birthday as a fundraiser for other parents facing long-term NICU care is simple:

But while Stephanie got to be with her son frequently, she says:

Even without the fundraiser, Nathaniel’s birthday would be a monumental event. Stephanie says he’s a very happy baby who is doing “things we never imagined he would do when we saw him after birth. He was so sick and fragile. He was dying! Now he’s more than surviving! He’s thriving, growing, and finding joy in life! His laughter brings us so much joy! A preemie’s laugh heals the soul!”

Miracle baby bouncing and laughing

The Palmers want other parents of babies born with special medical needs to enjoy their son or daughter’s healing laugh, to thrive as chidlren should. Stephanie told Live Action News:

Now that faith has expanded for other children in similar situations. Stephanie told Live Action News:

Nathaniel in February as he finally went home from the hospital.

Nathaniel this summer with the same blue giraffe and a big smile to go with it.

Stephanie hopes that Strive2Thrive will be a catalyst to creating hope for many others in situations like they faced. She is convinced that there is always hope, even when medical experts and others say there is not. “God is good and never fails!” she says. And her proof is her arms every day as she holds her miracle baby that medical experts said would not even live.

Visit Nathaniel’s Strive2Thrive GoFundMe page.

Register for the Strive2Thrive Superhero Run.