We want to share why we donate to the March of Dimes every year here at Sara Zarrella Photography. Here’s our story…

We welcomed our baby boy, Thomas Sheally, to our family in a whirlwind. He arrived on the morning of May 20th at Kent Hospital in Warwick, Rhode Island, weighing 8.6 pounds and measuring 21.5 inches long. Born via a planned C-section at exactly 8:00 AM, we expected a joyful and routine delivery—but life had other plans.

What no one anticipated was Thomas’ congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a condition in which organs from the abdomen move into the chest cavity and affect lung development. In Thomas’ case, his bowels were pressing against his left lung, making it difficult for him to breathe.

In the middle of the uncertainty and fear, one thing suddenly became clear: his name. Choosing a name had been a difficult decision for Steve and me, but in that moment, we knew exactly who he was. We named him Thomas after his two strong grandfathers—a meaningful choice, even though it broke our family tradition of “S” names shared by his big sisters and both of us.

Almost immediately after birth, Thomas was transferred to the NICU at Women & Infants Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Hours later, once I was medically stable enough after surgery, I was transferred to join him. It would be eight long hours before I could finally see my son and truly meet him.

Most parents get to hold their baby moments after birth. Unfortunately, our experience looked very different. I wasn’t able to hold Thomas right away, and because of the emergency transfer, we were taken to the hospital separately by ambulance. While Thomas began his fight surrounded by an incredible medical team, I remained behind recovering from my C-section, waiting until I was stable enough to be reunited with him.

Those first hours were some of the hardest of our lives—but they would also become part of the story that forever changed our family.

The next few days, some would say I was living in survival mode—honestly, I wasn’t sure about my son’s survival.

At just five days old, Thomas underwent laparoscopic surgery to repair his congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The night before surgery marked the very first time I was able to hold my son. It was emotional for so many reasons, but one stood out above all the others: I was only being permitted to hold him because there was a possibility he may not survive the operation.

With only about 30% of babies with his condition surviving, the next six hours felt unbearable. Fear, uncertainty, and hope all collided at once as we waited.

But our little Thomas is a fighter.

I will never forget the image of his surgical team gathered around him after a successful operation, sharing the words we had been desperately hoping to hear: our son was going to make it.

Although leaving the hospital each day without my baby was heartbreaking, I took comfort in knowing he was in the best hands possible. Still, no amount of reassurance made walking out those doors any easier.

While Thomas was in surgery, I worked on a rainbow mobile craft that had been given to me by March of Dimes. It gave me something to focus on during one of the longest, hardest days of our lives as we waited for news.

Today, that rainbow mobile hangs in Thomas’ room—a quiet reminder of the fear, hope, and strength that carried us through those long hours while we waited for our little boy to come out of surgery.

Leaving the NICU…

On June 18th, after four long weeks in the NICU, Thomas finally came home. He was discharged at 10:00 AM—ironically, the exact same time he had first entered the unit weeks earlier.

I remember thinking that leaving the NICU would feel like pure joy, and in many ways, it did. But it was also bittersweet. The NICU had become such a meaningful part of Thomas’ journey, and the nurses, doctors, and specialists who cared for him had become an important part of our lives.

Even now, whenever I drive by Women & Infants Hospital, I find myself looking up at Thomas’ NICU window, instantly brought back to those four long weeks. I still remember the fear of those early days, when everything felt so touch and go and we didn’t know what the future would hold.

The night before we left the hospital, I held my son with no wires, tubes, or machines connected to him for the very first time. It was one of those moments I will never forget.

And then came our first morning at home. I woke up to the sound of Thomas crying in his crib—a moment many exhausted parents might dread. But I didn’t take it for granted. Just two weeks earlier, I couldn’t hear his cries because of the breathing tube. That morning, hearing him cry felt like music to my ears (crazy to even write that, but true).

A moment can change your life…

It’s amazing how a single moment can change the course of your life. But that’s what life really is—a collection of moments and experiences that shape who we become.

I never imagined I would one day be a parent sharing personal stories about causes and organizations that touched my own life so deeply… but here I am.

Becoming a NICU family changed all of us. It challenged us, strengthened us, and gave us a perspective we never expected to have. Through it all, we were surrounded by an extraordinary medical team that I truly believe were angels on earth. They were the people you want beside you during the hardest moments of your life—steady, compassionate, knowledgeable, and endlessly supportive.

Even today, we continue to see many of Thomas’ specialists through bimonthly visits, and I’ve stayed connected with several of his nurses through social media. It has been incredibly meaningful to keep those relationships alive.

Without the care, compassion, and dedication of the medical team who walked alongside us, Thomas’ four weeks in the NICU could have been unbearably difficult. Instead, they brought comfort, hope, and humanity into one of the hardest chapters of our lives. For that, I will always be deeply grateful.

The March of Dimes

But I also know that not every family that walks a path like ours gets the joyful ending we were blessed to have. Many NICU families experience unimaginable heartbreak and loss, and that reality is never lost on me. I carry those families in my heart.

Our experience changed us, and because of that, I feel deeply committed to making a difference for other families navigating the uncertainty, fear, and hope that come with a NICU journey.

That is why, at Sara Zarrella Photography, we proudly donate 3% of our proceeds each year to March of Dimes. The work they do for NICU families—whether through education, advocacy, emotional support, or simple acts of kindness—is truly a gift during some of life’s hardest moments.

While we were in the hospital, March of Dimes touched our lives in ways both big and small. They provided comfort, compassion, and understanding during a time when we desperately needed it. Even something as simple as a craft to work on while I waited for Thomas to come out of surgery brought a sense of calm and comfort during one of the hardest days of my life.

That rainbow mobile still hangs in Thomas’ room today as a reminder of hope, resilience, and the kindness that carried us through.⠀⠀

The Road Forward for Thomas 

It has been a long road since Thomas came bursting into the world—and into our hearts—on May 20th. Watching him grow, thrive, and overcome every challenge placed in front of him has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Whenever I look back at photos of our tiny boy, I’m instantly transported to those long days in the NICU, overwhelmed by how far he has come. The fear, uncertainty, and waiting all feel so close, yet at the same time, it’s incredible to see just how much has changed.

One day, I will tell Thomas about his journey. I will tell him about his strength, the people who fought alongside him, and the story behind the scars on his tiny body.

Because those scars are not something to hide.

They are reminders of the fight it took to save his life. They tell the story of resilience, survival, and the incredible strength of one very small but mighty little boy.

Those scars are his battle wounds—and we wear them with pride.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

These scars are a reflection of his journey.

One day, we will tell him:

“Thomas, these scars are anything but imperfections. They are proof of your strength, your resilience, and everything you overcame. They tell the story of your journey—the story of a little boy who, from the moment he entered this world, was a warrior.

These scars are part of you. Uniquely you. And we love every single inch of you.”⠀⠀

Thank you to every NICU nurse, doctor, specialist, and fellow warrior who walked alongside us throughout this journey. Your compassion, dedication, and care carried us through some of the hardest moments of our lives, and we will never stop being grateful.

To our family and friends—thank you for your love, prayers, encouragement, and unwavering support. We truly could not have gotten through this without you.

And to every client who has supported Sara Zarrella Photography over the years—thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Because of you, we are able to give back and proudly donate 3% of our profits to March of Dimes each year. Your support allows us to help make a difference in the lives of NICU families and continue spreading hope, care, and compassion to others walking a journey much like ours.

From our family to yours, thank you for being part of Thomas’ story.⠀