AUSTIN, Texas — On Sunday, the second annual NICU Graduate Reunion was held at Q2 Stadium in Austin.
The event gives babies who were placed into the neo-natal intensive care unit a chance to cross the graduation stage in celebration for how far they have come.
Nonprofit Hand to Hold hosted the graduation. The group provides emotional support resources to families during and after their stay in the NICU.
KVUE spoke to a parent about what that meant to her.
"It was enormous to have another parent look you in the eyes and say, ‘I have been through this, we got through this. What you're going through is valid. This is a legitimately very difficult thing but there is another side to it.’ It was everything that we needed in that moment," said NICU parent Emily Fite.
She also said it was great to see everyone who helped her get through it and celebrate all the other families who went through a similar journey.