All through time its human nature to dream of fantastic things and fairytales, oo at how popular Harry Potter was and still is, how her love protected her son Harry from certain death…
Seemingly enough through the power of love is not so much just a fantasy, the power of human touch is very often used in modern medicine too, in the US it saved a baby who was born prematurely in 1995.
Paul Jackson, a father had twins, they were born at UMass Memorial, they arrived 12 weeks premature and weighed just 2 pounds!
Jackson said the news (2013):
“The nurses in the NICU were very honest and they told me up front things looked pretty good now but the next 42 to 78 hours things could turn very quickly”
The twins quickly seemed to reach the age of three weeks old and Brielle was having difficulty breathing, her oxygen levels were dropping and her little heart was racing, she even started to turn a little blue!
The NICU nurse, called Gayle Kasparian, made a request to the parents to try something never before done…
It was going to change medicine in the US, she put the stronger twin, Kyrie, in the same incubator as Brielle to incubate them with skin to skin contact, also called ‘Kangaroo Care’ and also used as a technique with premature babies outside the US.
Almost immediately Kyrie put her hand on sister in what the News is calling a rescuing hug!
Brielle started to quickly get stronger, her breathing settled and her vital signs were looking really positive.
Kasparian said:
“When I put Brielle in with her sister, it was amazing …She immediately calmed down. Her heart rate stabilized and her color changed.”
Before this happened for the first time in the US both twins and triplets were incubated apart, but these two twins historical twins changed all that for good!
Dr. Stuart Weisberger of UMass Memorial said:
“A lot of these things we just weren’t doing …We thought these kids were too fragile that you wouldn’t be able to do these things and now we do it not only with babies 28 weekers we do it at 23, 24, and 25 weeks. Even when they’re connected to the ventilator breathing machines.”
Both the beautiful twins grew up to be healthy and normal young adults, they are so close together, in fact, they are closer than ever before, sharing thoughts and able to finish each other’s sentences.
The remarkable story of Kyrie and Brielle Jackson is a testament to the profound impact of human connection and the pioneering spirit of medical professionals. The event, often referred to as the “Rescuing Hug,” has since become an iconic example of the power of touch in healing and has transformed neonatal care worldwide.
The Impact of the Rescuing Hug
The decision to place the twins together not only saved Brielle’s life but also revolutionized how premature infants are treated in NICUs globally. The practice of Kangaroo Care—skin-to-skin contact between babies and their parents or, in this case, between siblings—has been adopted as a standard approach for stabilizing preterm infants. This method has been shown to regulate the baby’s body temperature, improve oxygen levels, and strengthen their heart rate.
A Legacy of Hope
The Jackson twins’ story spread far and wide, inspiring families and medical teams to rethink the importance of human touch in caregiving. The incident demonstrated that even the smallest gestures, like a sibling’s hug, can have life-altering effects. Hospitals around the world began incorporating family-centered care, encouraging parents and siblings to be part of the healing process.
The Twins Today
Now grown, Kyrie and Brielle continue to embody the extraordinary bond they shared from birth. Their closeness is a living reminder of the miracle that unfolded in the NICU. The twins have shared their story to raise awareness about premature birth and the advancements in neonatal medicine, inspiring countless families facing similar challenges.
This heartwarming tale reminds us of the incredible resilience of life and the ways love and connection can bridge even the most difficult circumstances. Share this story to spread the message of hope and the miraculous power of human connection!
