Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann Toeneboehn.
Ann, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
This story isn’t just about me, but rather about my mother, grandmother, and the many people that rallied together after my birth. The love that was shared at that time has fueled my desire to help and comfort mothers in similar situations. Many questions have been raised about the factual information about my birth. Although not fully understood, I have chosen to be at peace with not having all of the answers, and compiling the story that my mother and family have shared in the best way possible. This is our story.
I first heard the story about my birth when I was a little girl. Although not clearly understood to this day, my story was mentioned frequently throughout my childhood. My mother was approximately just over six months pregnant when she was rushed to the hospital in the back of my uncle’s Volkswagen after experiencing unexpected hemorrhaging. Early that following morning, I was delivered via emergency c-section at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. I recall my mother saying that she wasn’t fully anesthetized when they performed the c-section as she refused further medication until she heard my cry. Today, from what I can gather, my mother most likely suffered from a placental abruption, which led to her acute hemorrhaging and subsequent emergency c-section.
My baby book records my first measurements. I weighed all of two pounds, four ounces, and measured 15 inches long. The days after my birth were very trying times for my family. I was born blind, unable to breathe on my own, and had my first surgery due to a pneumothorax at two days old. As a mother, I wonder who she turned to for comfort on the hard days, and reassurance that all would be well.
Later, during my first semester of college, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4, metastatic breast cancer. She subsequently endured a bilateral mastectomy and was preparing to begin six months of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. At the time, I was unaware that her doctor had informed her that she would only have six months to live. Thankfully she was able to endure various treatments for over three years.
These early experiences with healthcare disparities are what initially drew me to pursue a degree in healthcare administration. Looking back now, I know that my mother was severely under-informed of how to provide the necessary care for me despite the doctor’s and nurse’s best efforts. Additionally, I believe that more could have been done for my mother during her three-year battle, not just physical support but mentally and spiritually as well. These instances are a testament to the continued desperate need for informed healthcare advocates.
What I enjoy most about healthcare is the opportunity for relationship building through serving. I believe that my experiences have shaped my life. The stories I have shared, the people that have crossed my path, all of them have been a patient at some point and time and all of them want to be more than just a bed number to their healthcare team. In today’s culture, healthcare is shifting from a traditional mechanism of the organizational model to a patient centered model focused on high reliability. In efforts to support this shift. I desire to better understand the barriers that healthcare providers face, the uniqueness and intricacies of every patient encounter and how hospitals and facilities that care for infants and their mothers can adapt and overcome. I hope to improve healthcare quality and efficiency utilizing the techniques I have learned through my schooling and personal experiences.
My late grandmother loved to crochet. After I was born, it broke her heart to see all of the babies in the NICU with wires and tubes all over their bodies, but nothing of warmth or comfort. She dedicated herself to crocheting baby booties for all of the babies on the unit. This inspired the idea for the Little Bird Project. I wanted her legacy to continue through providing the personal touch of handmade baby booties. As this desire more fully developed, I realized the utter helplessness my mother must have felt during the first few days and weeks after I was born. Today, The Little Bird Project exists to provide support and prayer for mothers and the most up-to-date education from healthcare professionals. By partnering with healthcare facilities, and other organizations with the same goal in mind, The Little Bird Project can make a difference in the lives of many.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like most of my adventures, The Little Bird Project began from a longing within my heart to do something rather than just sit on a passion and let the opportunity pass me by. Nevertheless, a simple idea brought from a beautiful story has evolved with several obstacles along the way. Two of my greatest struggles, which are still being overcome day by day include my ability to feel confident speaking in public to share my story as well as developing the confidence to speak to knowledgeable professionals, who often poses deeper knowledge on certain subject than I. In addition, social media is not my forte, and thus has been a tool inefficiently wielded to reach individuals. I am simply a sound board and an avenue to which mothers can come and find a safe place, comfort, receive educational materials, prayer and support. Another struggle has been sharing The Little Bird Project’s mission and goal as prayer, the Word of God, and Christianity. In general, are often met with significant hesitation if not opposition. Finally, it has certainly been a challenge to find physicians, specialists, and other healthcare professionals who are willing to take some time out of their already very busy schedules to contribute to the education material and collaborate alongside us. Despite such struggles, The Little Bird Project will press forward, by God’s grace, pursuing opportunities to share the love of Christ with mothers and their premature infants.
Please tell us about your organization.
The Little Bird Project is a Christian, faith-based non-profit organization that offers support to mothers of premature infants by visiting them in the hospital during the most critical times after birth. Through an online community and in-person services at local, supporting hospitals and organizations a mother is greeted in the hospital and receives a pair of hand knitted baby booties for their preemie. The mother also receives an educational brochure with helpful information regarding her baby’s development and barriers that may exist in the future and ways to overcome them. Educational material is offered in the following areas: Postpartum Care, Neurological Development, Respiratory Care, Mental/Spiritual Health, and Statistical Information. We care deeply about the mother’s mental and spiritual well being and are happy to offer prayer and other resources to guide mothers on this journey.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a professional ballerina. I succeeded in some measure after much hard work and determination and landed an apprentice company member position during my college years. A few years later, my mom passed away and I needed to work to pay the bills, so dance drifted to the background. My day-to-day quickly became about making ends meet with the partial associate’s degree that I had earned. Shortly thereafter, I gave my life over to Christ, and my goals and shifted again to find a husband and have children. In my early years of knowing Christ, I found that I grew bitter over not being able to dance anymore. I wasn’t married yet, without a full college degree, and so I slowly found my dreams of success and these goal posts which I had created slipping away from me. I grieved for some time and wondered what would become of my life if I didn’t have a career in dance, a degree, a husband, or children. After much grumbling and complaining, with complete conviction and of sober heart, I realized that my view of success was nothing more than a sea of idols that would bring nothing of eternal value but mere temporary satisfaction. Although all of these dreams are good, acceptable and can bring honor to God, I realized that if the motivation is misplaced, than the glory is altered from our creator and onto ourselves. Success is not defined by a great feat in athleticism, a title behind my name, a large bank account, or by having children. Rather, for me, success is measured in the weight of eternity. It is to pray for individuals to be influenced by the great love of Jesus in their lives, workplaces and families. Psalm 115:1 states my desire perfectly: “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thelittlebirdproject.org/
- Phone: 443-962-2657
- Email: thelittlebirdproject@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/thelittlebirdproject
- Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/thelittlebirdproject/
Image Credit:
Anna Larson
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