Preemie Freebies – April 2023

You told us, we heard you! PreemieWorld is working on a free gifts program for families in the NICU, preemie or not. Each month we will highlight trending topics around our community. – Jenny McCormick, Editor-in-Chief

About 7 percent of children born preterm are autistic, compared with 1 to 2 percent of children in the general population. Researchers cannot accurately predict which preterm babies are most likely to be later diagnosed with the condition, however. This month we are providing information with free resources and support for parents with a preemie with an autism diagnosis.

Challenge Air: Challenge Air was created to change the perception of children with special needs through the gift flight. Since 1993, we have been committed to making a difference in the lives of children with special needs. With a network of 3,500 volunteers nationwide, we continue to grow through events called Fly Days. https://www.challengeair.com/about-us/
The Dream Factory: is the largest all-volunteer driven children’s wish-granting organization that does not limit its mission to children who have life-threatening illness. The organization believes children with chronic illnesses and disorders and disabilities also suffer from substantial emotional and physical pain. https://www.dreamfactoryinc.org/
Sunshine Foundation: Sunshine Foundation answers the dreams of children, ages three through eighteen, who have severe or profound physical/developmental/intellectual challenges or trauma from physical/sexual abuse, and whose families have limited income. https://sunshinefoundation.org/about-us/
Disability Benefits 101: gives you tools and information on employment, health coverage, and benefits. You can plan ahead and learn how work and benefits go together. https://www.db101.org/
National Park Service: free lifetime pass to US national parks and more. There are some requirements and stipulations, so read through the application https://www.nps.gov/subjects/accessibility/interagency-access-pass.htm
Lindsey Foundation: comprehensive help for kids across the disability spectrum (from therapy to equipment and much, much more) http://www.lindsayfoundation.org/guidelines/

Want more resources? PreemieWorld has:

Preemie Directory: A global list of organizations and resources just for you, for FREE.
Freebies: Our FREE collection of printable freebies just for parents, professionals trying to help families in and out of the NICU and more.
PreemieWorld News our printable e-newsletter is FREE and each monthly edition is packed with information and support. Check out our archive here to see a sample edition.
Suggestions? Want to tell us about more resources we should get out there? Contact us.