Erika Wyman, a young mother dealing with a huge challenge, could use a hand.

Erika was pregnant with twins — a baby girl, Athena Rain, and a baby boy, Atley Ronald. Then, a few weeks before delivery, the family learned that Athena had passed away in utero.

While grieving the loss of her daughter, Erika continued carrying both babies. Then, she delivered them at just 24 weeks of gestation.

Baby Atley was born weighing 1 pound, 3 ounces, but he is showing strength and doing well in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit considering how early he arrived. As of Friday, Oct. 2, he had gained a half-pound. He has a long road ahead of him with ups and downs, days and nights at the hospital, and a great deal of uncertainty.

At the same time, Erika and the family are trying to grieve the loss of Athena, organize arrangements for her to be laid peacefully, while being present for Atley. Navigating everything that comes with having an extremely premature baby in the NICU is enough for one mom, one family and nearly unimaginable while grieving the loss, with all other responsibilities and realities of real life.

Erika has put everything in life on hold to be there around the clock with her baby to offer the presence, peace, nutrition and strength only a mother can give.

A GoFundMe account has been established to help ease some of the financial burden. The goal is $4,500. As of 8 p.m. Friday, $1,331 had been donated.

Erika is not yet medically cleared to work after an emergency cesarean section and will only be minimally returning to work. All donations help with expenses related to Atley’s extended NICU stay, travel, meals, and other unexpected costs so that Erika and her family can focus their energy on healing, grieving Athena, and being by Atley’s side.

Please consider sharing their story so that we can surround this family with as much love and support as possible.

—Mackenzie Yoshida & the Bulletin staff

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