Former Rotunda preemie shares heartwarming throwback reenactment photos

This is so sweet.

Today is World Prematurity Day and is a time to celebrate all of the incredible premature babies born every year. The day is also to raise awareness of pre term birth and fundraise for our tiniest infants. One of those tiny infants back in the day was Francis Meehan, who was born in Tralee General Hospital, in 1989. Francis was born four months early and weighed only and spent three months on a ventilator at The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin NICU. Now 32 years later, Francis has shares not only his story but amazing reenactment photos showing how strong preemies can be. [caption id="attachment_401840" align="aligncenter" width="412"] Francis as a toddler[/caption] Speaking about his life since leaving the Rotunda hospital three decades ago Francis says he has had a fantastic life;

“I have done very well and thanks to the excellent help I received throughout, I have been lucky to attend mainstream schooling despite having several challenges, including severe deafness which I wear hearing aids for and sight in one eye due to retina damage to the other as a result of my prematurity. I have many achievements including winning the all-Ireland credit union art competition on 3 occasions, written a book, won an Oscar at my local drama group, successfully completed a music and theatre studies course among several other courses throughout the years. I enjoy walking, reading, acting, playing bongos, art, world music, travel (but unfortunately not at the moment)”

[caption id="attachment_401843" align="aligncenter" width="1192"] Francis in 2021 with his Rotunda top[/caption] After leaving the Rotunda Hospital as a baby Francis spent a further 3 months on oxygen in Tralee, and a year on a respiratory monitor at home, so it's incredible to see him doing so well. Premature babies are truly our tiniest warriors and they absolutely deserve a day in honour of how truly special and amazing they are.