MISSION MOMENT

This week’s Mission Moment is with Courtney Grezenko. Her daughter Birdie Rey received life-saving treatment through Ronald McDonald House Charities/The Riley Hospital for Children.

Stories like THIS right here is why Makin Wake is on a four-month journey around The Great Loop on a pontoon to raise vital funds and awareness for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Thank you, Courtney for sharing your inspiring story with us. Makin Wake is truly honored to name our pontoon Birdie Rey after your daughter.

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Makin Wake: Tell us a little bit about yourself, your family, and Birdie Rey.

Courtney Grezenko: My name is Courtney Grezenko and my husband's name is Ryan. We have been married for eleven years. We have three children earth side with us (Bodhi age 9, Banner age 5, and Birdie age 1) and one daughter waiting for us in Heaven (Swayze Grace Mae). 

We live in San Pierre, IN. A town so small if you blink while driving down 421 in Northwest Indiana, you'd probably miss it. We are typical family living in a small town. We enjoy watching our Bluejays play football on Friday nights, taking our boys to and from sports practices, movie nights with buckets of popcorn, spending time with our friends who have become more like family, going to church on Sunday, and the occasional trip to Disney World.

After the loss of our daughter Swayze in January of 2022, who was born too early at 21 weeks due to a life-threatening infection in my uterus, we took some time to really decide if we wanted to try again for one more baby. My doctors assured me that my body could handle it and we should experience little to no complications. My pregnancy with Birdie was anything but "uncomplicated". 

MW: Tell us about Birdie Rey’s journey receiving care through Ronald McDonald House Charities/The Riley Hospital for Children.

CG: At 23 weeks and 3 days I was admitted into the Labor & Delivery department at Northwest Health Porter in Valparaiso, IN for the remainder of my pregnancy. Birdie decided it was her time to come into this world on 9/1/2023 (which happened to be my grandmother's birthday, who passed away in 2016). At 9:56 am she was delivered via emergency c-section at 24 weeks and 4 days. She was 1 pound and 10 oz. 

On day 3 of life, the neonatologist told us that the likelihood of her coming home was grim. But Birdie had other plans. 

•6 weeks intubated 

•3 weeks on an oscillator ventilator

•Was not held until day 25 and it took 4 nurses and 2 respiratory therapists 

•9 blood transfusions 

•11 days of phototherapy 

•3 brain ultrasounds 

•1 MRI 

•11 eye exams 

•3 echocardiograms 

•Aspiration Pneumonia 

•Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (also known as Chronic Lung Disease) 

•Retinopathy of Prematurity stage 2/3 (she was in danger of going blind) 

•Eye injections 

•Laser eye surgery 

•2 NICUs (The Riley Hospital for Children & Northwest Health Porter) 

•2 helicopter rides 

•1 ambulance ride

•2 rounds of DART protocol (steroids for her lungs) 

•G-tube (feeding tube) placement surgery 

•Umbilical hernia repair surgery 

•2 bronchoscopy procedures 

•Countless chest x-rays and blood gases 

After 184 days, Birdie girl came home from The Riley Hospital for Children. Our community escorted us home with a parade of fire trucks and people lining the streets clapping and cheering for her. She is a living, breathing miracle and a true testament to the power of prayer.

MW: Tell us a bit more about how Birdie Rey and you/your family are all doing currently.

CG: After multiple surgeries and stays back at The Riley Hospital for Children, Birdie came home on March 3, 2024! Currently, she is doing SO good. She is in physical therapy and occupational therapy once a week. She is meeting milestones on her own timeline. It is amazing to witness her tackle any obstacle with determination and tenacity. She will be two years old on September 1.

CLICK TO DONATE TODAY

Makin Wake is a 5,500-mile journey around The Great Loop by pontoon to raise awareness and support aiding countless families who are spending time at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). RMHC provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.