ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI-FOX2Now.com)—
A preemie born four months too early celebrated his first birthday in the neo-natal intensive care unit. He's been there since he was born. He was born at 24 weeks gestation and weighed just under two pounds. He beat the odds and today those who've spent countless hours caring for Mayki threw the big boy a birthday bash."If you had talked to me a year ago about whether we would get to this day I would have probably said no. I love when these little ones make a liar out of me." said Pat Kelly of Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
Makyi was born 16 weeks early. His lungs were severly underdeveloped. He breaths with a tracheotomy now and won't always need the wires, tubes and wheelchair.
Makyi's mom LaCresha counts her blessings. She's at his side daily bathing, playing and feeding him. she's also had special training to care for his respiratory problems.
Makyi goes to physical, occupational and speech therapy one to three times a day. He now weighs 20 pounds and is reaching his developmental milestones.
"He gets down on the floor with therapy he rolls and claps and plays he's wobbly at sitting up but he is getting there when we think about how sick he was in the beginning for so long he shouldn't be near that stage developmentally.", said Makyi's Mother LeCresha Prather
As long as he continues to improve Makyi could be home sooner than later.
Cardinal Glennon says Mayki's situation is rare. Most preemie's are in NICU for a few weeks not an entire year.
