Zacariah and Michelle were born at just 25 weeks, so premature, they spent three months after their birth in the neonatal intensive care unit at Children's Hospital Central California. At barely over one pound each, they were only about the size of an adult hand.
Joyce a middle school science teacher and Al, a former advertising specialist ... spent day after day at the hospital on an emotional rollercoaster. Trying to stay hopeful that their babies would beat the odds.
Zachariah developed two, life-threatening conditions: bleeding in his brain ... because preemie blood vessels are so under-developed and a yeast infection in his blood. Joyce says she and Al stayed hopeful by looking at the pictures of other preemies at Children's Hospital ... who survived.
Joyce Morris said, "I wanted to see babies as weak and as fragile as my babies that made it. And so I think other parents who have their babies at 1 pound, 8 ounces that they'll go, oh these babies made it ... mine is going to make it ... and you have to have that inside of you."
The babies more than made it ... they thrived and this year, were chosen as the ambassadors for Kid's Day. Zachariah who's called Zachy seems to be on fast forward ... always on the go ... and ready for his close up.
Quieter but no less active Michelle loves animals.
Their tired but grateful dad says the children had a stubborn streak even as tiny infants that the nurses said ... helped them fight for their lives. Albert Liu said, "Their stubbornness ... it's still with them right now too ... it hasn't waned ... yeah."
For this family, every day is a blessing. Albert said, "It's very lucky that we were here and everything happened and we had Children's Hospital.
According to the "March of Dimes" more than half a million babies are born, premature in the U.S. for reasons doctors don't fully understand. Preemies are at risk for complications and lasting disabilities including cerebral palsy. But Zachariah and Michelle's parents say the twins only get the occasional cold.
Proceeds from every Kids Day paper sold will help Children's Hospital continue to meet the growing health care needs of children in the Valley.
So don't forget your dollar bill.
Distribution Sites
Site A - Fresno
Fire Station
911 "H" Street
Site B – Fresno
Fire Station
3131 N. Fresno @ Shields
Site C - Fresno
Fire Station
5544 N. Fresno @ Barstow
Site D - Fresno
Fire Station
815 E. Nees @ Bond
Site E - Fresno
Fire Station
1709 W. Bullard @ West
Site F - Fresno - La Comida Guild
Fire Station
2874 W. Acacia (South of Shaw & Marks)
Site G - CSU Fresno
Joyal Administration Bldg. (east side)
Site H - Fresno City College
College Center
Office of College Activities
Site I - Fresno North Site
Wells Fargo on Fresno Street
8420 N. Friant Rd
Site J - Clovis
Fire/Police Headquarters
1233 5th Street (4th & Russell)
Site K - Coalinga
R-N Market
555 E. Elm Ave.
Site L - Chowchilla - Tenaya Guild
Small Wonders Preschool
315 Kings Ave.
Site M - Dinuba
Fire Station
496 E. Tulare
Site N - Dos Palos
Dos Palos High School
1701 E. Blossom Street
Site O - Firebaugh
Home of BJ & Carol Diedrich
1402 "R" Street
Site P - Hanford - Kings Guild
St. Rose – McCarthy School McHugh Hall
1000 N. Harris Street
Site Q - Kerman
Home of DeEtta Gallagher
430 S. Third Street
Site R - Kingsburg
Kingsburg City Hall
1401 Draper Street
Site S - Los Banos
Fire Station
333 7th Street
Site T – Madera – Alegria Guild
Kuckenbecker Tractor
800 Madera Ave.
Site U - Mariposa
Sierra Gold Real Estate
4989 Hwy 140 (near Best Western Hotel)
Site V - Merced
Raley's
3550 "G" Street
Site W - Oakhurst
Yosemite Bank
40061 Hwy 49
Site W W – Coarsegold
Mining Company Restaurant
46982 Pony Express
Corner of Highway 41 and Pony Express
Site X - Porterville
Wal-Mart
1250 W. Henderson
Site Y - Reedley
Reedley College
Parking Lot "C"
Site Z - Sanger - Sequoia Guild
Sanger Chamber of Commerce
1789 Jensen Ave., Ste. B
Site A A - Selma
Selma High School Cafeteria
3125 Wright Street
Site B B - Tulare
Tulare Western High School
824 W. Maple
Site C C - Visalia
Fire Station
309 S. Johnson (downtown)
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