Almost four years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Courtney Waterhouse and her partner Jordan Smith’s world was turned upside down when she went into labour unexpectedly at just 33 weeks. What started as a typical day ended with a life-changing rush to the hospital. “I was completely oblivious to the fact that my water had broken. It wasn’t until my father rushed me to the hospital that I began to realize how serious things were,” she recalls.
Initially taken to Ridge Meadows Hospital, Courtney was quickly transferred by ambulance to Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH). Walking through the doors, she was met by a team of obstetricians, pediatricians, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) staff, all ready to provide critical care for her premature baby. “Terrified and bewildered, I had no clue what was happening,” Courtney says, but the state-of-the-art facility reassured her that she and her son, Travis, would be in good hands.
Her time at RCH was both overwhelming and transformative. “The doctors would give me detailed steps on what was going to happen… Hearing that for a full week set me up for success,” Courtney explains. The NICU team played an invaluable role in Travis’s early life, particularly during his most vulnerable moments. “NICU nurses would actually dress my son up. The way they took care of him while I was not able to be there—I’m forever grateful for that,” she says. It was this care and attention that had a lasting impact on Courtney and her family. “That part was impactful to me because I knew someone was watching him.”
After spending a month in the RCH Variety NICU, Travis began to thrive. Now, two years later, Courtney looks back with immense gratitude and a deep desire to give back. “They inspired me to create a fundraiser so that I could give back and say thank you to the NICU,” she explains. Her photo session fundraiser was a way to ensure other families facing similar challenges receive the same exceptional care. “I really hope my fundraiser inspires others to give back.”
For couples going through a similar experience, Courtney offers words of encouragement: “The team there is there to see your family thrive. You will be taken care of.” Her message to the staff who supported her is simple but heartfelt: “I’m truthfully grateful to all the staff for saving my son’s life.”
Through her fundraising efforts, Courtney hopes to make a lasting impact on the lives of other NICU families, just as the Royal Columbian Hospital NICU staff did for her, Jordan and Travis.
