A cheerful, smiling baby overcomes the medical odds to serve as an ambassador for the March of Dimes WalkAmerica
By: Emily Craighead
WEST WINDSOR From the day Mia Gorczynski was born, doctors were uncertain she would ever learn to walk and talk and run and play.
"Every time she would hit a milestone, it was a huge celebration," Mia’s father, Brian Gorczynski, said.
Mia and her twin sister, Sarah, were born Nov. 3, 2003 12 weeks before they were due. Sarah weighed 2½ pounds and Mia weighed just 2 pounds.
Twelve days later, Sarah died from complications of necrotizing enterocolitis, a gastrointestinal disease, and sepsis.
Mia spent the first four months of her life in the hospital undergoing medical treatment for some of the most severe complications associated with premature birth, including respiratory distress syndrome and anemia. When she was 1 month old, she developed a benign brain tumor.
"Given her brain injuries, we were preparing for a child who would be blind and deaf," Mr. Gorczynski said.
Two-and-a-half years later, Mia is a cheerful, smiling baby.
Mr. Gorczynski and his wife, Cindy, are sharing their story as the 2006 Mercer County Ambassador Family for the March of Dimes WalkAmerica.
The walk, set for April 30 at Mercer County Park, is being held to raise money to support research into the causes of premature birth, and to raise awareness about the issue.
One in eight babies arrives too soon, according to the March of Dimes. In half of premature births, the cause is unknown, but researchers have identified maternal or fetal stress, infection and stretching or bleeding of the uterus as causes in some cases.
Many survivors grow up healthy, but others will have to cope with lasting disabilities such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation and learning problems, chronic lung disease, and vision and hearing problems, according to the March of Dimes. Half of all neurological disabilities in children are related to premature birth.
Mia is one of the luckier ones.
"Through intensive therapy and luck, her brain did respond," Mr. Gorczynski said.
Four to five times a week, she and her mother meet with therapists for occupational, physical, speech and feeding therapy.
She does suffer from mild cerebral palsy, multiple feeding and digestive disorders, sensory impairment, failure to thrive, and a permanent shunt in her brain to drain fluids. However, doctors have told Mia’s parents she will be able to do everything everyone else does, though she may do things differently, or more slowly.
"Cognitively, they have no concerns about her," Ms. Gorczynski said. "Her major problems are fine motor problems."
When she looks at her daughter, Ms. Gorczynski says she is amazed that someone who has suffered so much and spent so much time in hospitals, can be so happy.
"They are so resilient, these babies," Mr. Gorczynski said. "You’ve got to have hope."
His wife added, "They’re stronger than I think we are."
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the organization funds research, community services, education and advocacy.
For more information about Mia and the March of Dimes mission or to make a donation, visit www.walkamerica.org/bgorczynski.

