BUFFALO, NY - Madesen Grant is considered a miracle child. She was born in November 1998, although she wasn't expected to arrive until March 1999. Now the preemie who weighed one-pound-nine-ounces is ready to graduate from high school in Alpharetta, Georgia. She has beaten all odds after being born at just 25-weeks. A full-term baby normally arrives at 40-weeks
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "in 2014, preterm birth affected about 1 of every 10 infants born in the United States. Preterm birth is the greatest contributor to infant death, with most preterm-related deaths occurring among babies who were born very preterm (before 32 weeks). Preterm birth is also a leading cause of long-term neurological disabilities in children."
Dietra Grant will never forget her pregnancy. "Thinking about what we went through to have Madesen, and the doctors wanting to abort the pregnancy," is why Madesen is their miracle.
The family credits the staff and Women and Children's Hospital for excellent care.
Madesen graduates from Alpharetta High School outside of Atlanta, Georgia this week. She has excelled in and out the classroom. "I've done so much, I've danced, I've been in different plays, I've done things that people thought I couldn't be able to do," she said.
Her father Clarence calls his daughter "a gift."
Madesen is aware that when she was born, she was pretty much the size of a stick of butter.
This fall, Madesen will attend Spelman College in Atlanta. She plans to pursue cosmetic dermatology and major in biology and pre-med, but she would also like to try acting. In fact, she had a chance to be an extra in the movie Barbershop: The Next Cut. "I can't wait to see myself grow and see where life takes me."
Channel 2's Claudine Ewing has followed Madesen's journey from birth. Madesen made it clear that being born premature doesn't mean you can't do something, "you can, I'm here, everyone can as well, there's no can't."
The Grant family shared their story to give others hope. "We've grown from this, we've become stronger. I think people need to know that miracles do happen," said her mom.
