Two Tiny Fighters, One Extraordinary Journey
When Andrea Fletcher and her husband found out they were expecting twins, they were overjoyed. But just 15 weeks into her pregnancy, everything changed. An ultrasound revealed signs of Stickler Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that can cause cleft palates, underdeveloped jaws, and breathing, vision, and hearing challenges.
“Our world changed that day,” Andrea remembers. “We were over the moon to be having twins, and then suddenly everything became uncertain.”
On March 15, 2024, Andrea gave birth to Aiden and Aubrey at just 33 weeks. The twins were rushed immediately to Rady Children’s Hospital, where they were intubated to help them breathe. “I never thought our situation would become life or death,” Andrea recalls. “But there were moments I wasn’t sure we’d bring both babies home.”
Those first few days were terrifying. On their third day, Andrea got a call in the middle of the night. Aubrey was in critical condition and doctors were unsure if she would make it through. Later, Aiden’s airway would repeatedly close if he was placed on his back, causing him to turn blue. Near the end of their stay, Aubrey stopped breathing and required a life-saving intervention that left her face temporarily paralyzed. “I can remember sitting in the room, watching doctors and nurses rush around to save my daughter,” Andrea says. “I was confused and numb.”
Through it all, the Care Coordination team became a lifeline. “They offered emotional support through some of the worst days of my life,” Andrea shares. “They helped educate us about medical devices and medications and made sure we never felt alone.”
After 77 days in the NICU for Aiden and 81 for Aubrey, the twins were finally ready to go home, but their care journey was just beginning. The care coordinators continued to guide Andrea through daily medications, tube feedings, and a packed schedule of follow-up appointments, therapies, and surgeries.
“Our coordinator helped with everything, from drawing up medicine to translating medical jargon to simply checking in to see how we were doing,” Andrea says. “I cannot put into words how calming it was to have someone there to help me advocate for my twins.”
In their first year, Aiden and Aubrey underwent a combined 11 surgeries, including jaw lengthening, retinal procedures, and cleft palate repairs. They also worked with more than 15 different care teams, including feeding, surgical, audiology, ophthalmology, and others. Through every stage, the Care Coordination team kept everything organized and made sure Andrea never had to navigate alone.
“Each week, we have a minimum of five hours in appointments,” Andrea says. “If something came up, I could call or text our coordinator, and within hours, it was resolved. I can think of a dozen times they saved us from endless calls and delays.”
Today, Aiden is taking his first steps, and Aubrey’s facial palsy has completely resolved. Both are growing stronger every day.
“My NICU experience has shown me the true meaning of gratitude,” Andrea says. “Our care coordinators didn’t just help my twins, they helped our whole family. This program should be the standard of care for every NICU family.”
