William Walter – Mifflinburg, Pa.

At just 28 weeks’ gestation, William entered the world. But because his lungs hadn’t developed properly, this tiny baby would spend 222 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) — where he defied every medical statistic along the way.

While he was in the womb, William didn't have enough amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid contains essential growth factors that babies breathe to help their lungs develop. The lack of adequate fluid meant William's lungs couldn’t grow properly. So when he was born prematurely at 28 weeks, he faced severe respiratory challenges that required immediate intervention.

The NICU team at Geisinger Janet Weis Children's Hospital stabilized William using advanced ventilator techniques from day 1. The challenge with premature lung disease is helping the baby grow so the lungs can develop and eventually function independently. For 222 days, the NICU became William's family's second home as they visited nearly every day. The medical team had difficult conversations with William's parents about the next steps, including the decision to insert a tracheostomy and keep him on a ventilator for an extended period to give his lungs time to mature.

Against all odds, William survived and thrived. His medical team told his family repeatedly that there was no medical reason or statistical probability that predicted his survival. That’s why everyone who knows and loves him considers his recovery a miracle.