Three years ago, my son was admitted to the Providence NICU. I intended to nominate Ashley Seabolt for her nursing skills and care at that time, but failed to do so. Ashley was the nurse who performed the NICU intake for my newborn son K, who suffered a hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy from a premature precipitous breech birth delivery.

K was transferred from Fairbanks Memorial Hospital on a Guardian flight. My husband was deployed, and my family lives in Georgia. K came a month early leaving me alone in the hospital. In order to travel with him from Fairbanks on the Guardian flight, 5 hours after birth, I was discharged from the hospital. I was not admitted to Providence when we arrived, and after having my first baby I was scared, exhausted, in pain, and simply running on first mom instincts.

Once my son was stable in the NICU after transfer I was able to see him and meet with Ashley. It was 0100 in the morning, things were quiet, but Ashley gave me the rundown on everything. Somehow during intake, while she was placing his EEG sensors on his head, she had to shave some of his hair, and she saved it. I still have it to this very day in between 2 pieces of tape. Ashley told me the severity of my son's condition with tact and sympathy, being upfront and honest through my entire stay. She explained the respirator, IV lines, lipid lines, catheter, EEG, every single line going in or out of my precious boy. Ashley answered every single question I had, even the ones I repeated or asked in a different fashion.

There wasn't a single time she said she had already answered that. Without fail, she answered. She relayed information from the doctor, all kinds, pediatricians, urologists, and neurologists. Ashley broke down their information in such a way that I wouldn't have any issue understanding. When the doctor came to tell me that if my son did not respond to treatment I should consider sending him to heaven, I was not surprised. I was not shocked, nor devastated. Ashley prepared me for this statement with her honesty and knowledge of my son's condition. Not only that, she stood right by me when I was informed of this. She didn't walk away, didn't look to the side, she stood right by me, never wavering from her station.

Furthermore, Ashley spoke with my husband overseas in Afghanistan. He called numerous times, and each time she answered all of his questions. Providing us both with preparation for the worst outcome, but gave us hope at the same time. However, it was never false hope. Ashley was competent in all her skills, and taught me everything I needed to do to perform care for my son with precision and ease. She helped me get in touch with lactation consultants, the social worker, chaplain, and to simply pick out baby books to read. Ashley even made his footprints for me.

Ashley went to labor and delivery on her breaks and obtained pads filled with ice for me. She instructed me on how to use witch hazel wipes, lidocaine spray, and where I could find the pharmacy. Ashley not only took care of our infant son with a traumatic brain injury, she cared for me, and my husband. Every step of the way, up until our last night, she even walked me out to the taxi. I didn't even have a car seat upon arrival to the hospital due to the nature of my birth and having to fly in on a Guardian jet, but Ashley arranged that too.

There was not a single moment she failed me, she went above and beyond her necessary requirements. My son's temperature was constantly changing, and she adjusted his heater while having the olympic cooling cap and hood to consider as well.

I could continue, but there is just one more thing I would like to say. I am a former Army medic, and am currently pursuing a BSN in nursing and to this day I have never met a more talented individual. My son survived his brain injury with a full recovery, and I fully believe Ashley had a direct impact on this astounding miracle.

There is not a doubt in my mind or my husband's mind that Ashley Seabolt is most deserving of the DAISY Award.