My name is Madesyn. On April 19, 2025, my husband Conrad and I brought our daughter, Veda May, into the world. She would spend the next 165 days in the NICU.

My entire life, I have always wanted to be a mother. When I was a toddler, I would carry around a little baby that was small enough to fit in my pocket. She went everywhere with me, and my mom probably replaced that little baby doll dozens of times so I could always have her nearby.

Conrad and I got married in September of 2023. Not long after this celebration, we discovered that we would be faced with infertility. After surgeries, medications, numerous tests and a singular embryo transfer, I became pregnant with a baby girl.

I think that she was just excited to meet me as I was to meet her, because at 25 weeks and 3 days Veda made her way into the world. She was born at a Suburban hospital where she stayed for a few weeks before being transferred to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s hospital in downtown Chicago for more extensive care.

Veda proved herself to be one tough little baby from the very start. Countless blood transfusions, tests, life saving medications, 4 major surgeries in just the first 6 months of her life. We couldn’t have ever imagined the sort of challenges she would face as a tiny 1lb 10oz baby.

Having a baby in the NICU changes you. It makes you appreciate every detail that may seem minuscule to the average eye. For example, the first time I saw Veda’s hair was several days after she was born. For any parent discovering the individual features of you baby is special, but when you have a tiny little baby who isn’t supposed to be here yet, every hair, finger, or even seeing them wiggle around their isolette feels miraculous.

I previously worked as a nurse in emergency medicine, so I’ve encountered some strong people. Yet I can with 100% confidence say that NICU babies are the strongest fighters there are. With that, the NICU staff are the most compassionate. The staff truly cared for my daughter in a way that I could never say thank you enough. They made me feel like a mom at a time where it was easy to feel completely out of control.

165 days. Days that felt slow, exhausting, impossible. But more importantly, days where Conrad and I were able to be present with our daughter. Extra days with her earth side, celebrating little victories and big triumphs. This time together was made possible, in part, by the wonderful organization of Jackson Chance Foundation.

Jackson Chance Foundation was founded by the Meghie family in honor of their son, Jackson Chance, who spent his entire 10-month life in the NICU. JCF’s transportation program ensures that NICU families at Lurie Children’s, Prentice Women’s, and Rush Children’s Hospitals receive complimentary parking for the entire length of their baby’s NICU admission, no matter how long it takes. This incredible gift made it possible for Conrad and I to come and go as we needed - sometimes on different schedules - morning, noon, and night, in order to be support Veda.

While Veda May will continue to face challenges related to her prematurity and medical complexities, I could not be more proud of her. I look up to her and cherish her every second of every day.

Thank you for reading our story and considering making a contribution to JCF in honor of Veda May turning one, and to help support future NICU families. Thank you for being here and supporting our family, every step of the journey.

With Gratitude,

Madesyn and Conrad Ochotorena