SINGAPORE - Some tiny superheroes were celebrated at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) last Thursday (Nov 17). Dressed in adorable costumes ranging from Captain America to The Flash, premature babies from the hospital showed off their superpowers.
When born at seven months of gestation, Sheraz, weighed just 500g. He has spent about three months in hospital. But the little boy, clutching Thor's hammer in a photo on KKH's Facebook page, is "indestructible" and "smashes every challenge that comes his way".
Meanwhile, courageous "Wondergirl" Aliia was only 710 grams when she was born and has been at KKH for more than six months.
Senior physiotherapists Shelly-Anne Sherwood, 34, and Nur Mazlina Mazlan, 33, came up with the idea of dressing them up as superheroes to celebrate their resilience, KKH said. They and their friends knitted all the superhero garb the nine babies were dressed in.
"We were inspired by their daily triumphs over challenges," the two said in an e-mail to The Straits Times, adding that it was a tribute to all premature babies. The photo shoot, shared on Facebook on Nov 17, was part of KKH's Early Bird Baby Club commemoration of Prematurity Awareness Month.
The Club is a support group for parents of premature babies born at the hospital. Parents and many medical workers, including neonatologists, dieticians, medical social workers and a range of therapists are in the club. Both Ms Sherwood and Ms Mazlina are volunteers, as is Dr Janlie Banas, from the Department of Neonatology, who took the photos.
"Although it was a little more challenging to photograph some of the preemies who are on breathing support, I must say all of them did very well during the photo shoot, they are indeed our superhero preemies!" Dr Janlie, who is in her 30s, told The Straits Times.
The clinical associate added: "Many times these preemies surprise us with their display of strength and resilience. One of the best moments for me when it comes to caring for premature babies is seeing them well enough to be discharged and going home with their loved ones."
