[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2097-E2098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TAYLOR: THE LITTLE MIRACLE BABY

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2009

  Mr. POE of Texas. Madam Speaker, ``Although the world is full of 
suffering, it is also

[[Page E2098]]

full of the overcoming of it.'' Madame Speaker, Hellen Keller made this 
observation about life and today I'd like to share the inspiring story 
of Taylor Christine Hunt. A little baby who I like to call the Miracle 
Baby. Her story is a moving reminder that prayer, faith, hope, and love 
can and do overcome the challenges of life.
  Born at 27 weeks and weighing just one and a half pounds little Baby 
Taylor beat the odds. Last fall my staffer, Nicole Hunt and her husband 
Jeff Hunt shared their excitement with me as they announced they were 
expecting their first baby at the end of May. In January of this year 
they found out they were having a girl. We all rejoiced at the news. 
However, on March 1, 2009, due to pregnancy complications, little Baby 
Taylor was born three and a half months premature.
  Taylor was immediately admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit 
and placed on a ventilator to help her breathe. She remained on the 
ventilator for nearly a week as doctors kept a close watch on her. 
Nicknamed the ``little spitfire'' by doctors and nurses because of her 
sassy and stubborn attitude towards all of their poking and prodding, 
Taylor would not let anything keep her down.
  Early on doctors detected an irregularity with her heart and took 
prompt medical action to correct it. Thankfully they were successful. 
In the first few months of her life doctors also discovered that Taylor 
had an eye disorder that primarily affects premature babies. 
Miraculously, it was there one day and gone the next. Today Taylor has 
perfect vision. Slowly, as Taylor's body matured, she learned to 
breathe on her own, take food, and maintain her body temperature.
  While Jeff and Nicole sat by her bedside day and night, they also 
rallied a huge group of supporters to pray for Taylor. Taylor even had 
her own website called ``Pray Taylor Home'' and literally thousands of 
people all over this country and the world prayed for her recovery.
  On June 2, 2009, after 94 days of hospitalization, hundreds of tests, 
dozens of specialists, 3 blood transfusions, and one ambulance ride, 
Taylor was finally well enough to go home.
  Today Taylor has been home for about two months and is thriving. She 
is almost 8 pounds and is developing beautifully. It has been a 
pleasure to see this little Miracle Baby beat the odds and I am proud 
to share her story with this Chamber today.
  Edith Wharton, a famous novelist, once wrote: ``There are two ways of 
spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.'' 
Taylor is that candle--spreading hope and teaching all of us that we 
must never give up.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________