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Born premature, Dot teen now sets sights on pre-med


Though she weighed just 1 pound, 14 ounces at birth, Uniqua Mason (right) fought her way past the dangers that face a premature baby. Now, with the support of her mother Jamilah (left), the happy, healthy 17-year-old is interning at Boston Medical Center, the first step toward her goal of becoming a neonatologist and helping other babies fight for their futures. (Daniela Caride photo)

Daniela Caride

When Uniqua Mason was born on Oct. 15, 1991, she weighed just 1 pound, 14 ounces. Her mother, Jamilah, gave birth after a pregnancy that lasted only 24 weeks.

Newborn Uniqua — who “could fit in the palm of my hand,” Jamilah recalled — spent the first three months of her life as a patient at Boston Medical Center (BMC). At first, Jamilah was devastated, aware and in fear of the dangers her daughter had to face because she was born premature.

Uniqua overcame the dangers, and now, as a perfectly healthy teenager, has returned to BMC to help other babies fight for their futures.

She has taken an internship at BMC’s Breastfeeding Center, pursuing her dream of becoming a neonatologist — a doctor who specializes in the care, development and diseases of newborn infants.

“Uniqua is just an inspiration to everyone,” said Anne Merewood, director of the Breastfeeding Center at BMC and assistant professor of pediatrics at Boston University School of Medicine. “[It] makes everyone feel that the hard work and devotion of the hospital staff and families really pays off when a wonderful young woman like Uniqua turns up 17 years later and wants to be a neonatologist herself. She is well on her way to realizing her goals.”

A junior at Boston Community Leadership Academy, Uniqua interns at BMC three days a week, entering data on mothers who nurse their babies into the center’s computer system. She’s learning a lot in her time at the center — “[B]reast milk … is healthier for the first few months of life,” for example.

Uniqua found the internship through the Boston Public Schools’ Summer of Opportunity Program, which helps high school students find one-year placements in the workplace. She will finish her placement in June.

The internship is just the first step in what will be a long journey of studies for Uniqua. To become a neonatologist, she must complete 15 years of education after graduating from high school — four years of undergraduate study, four years of medical school, four years of pediatric residency training and three years of neonatology fellowship training.

She can’t wait.

“I am so excited,” the teenager said during an interview in the living room of her family’s Dorchester apartment.

Uniqua is especially enthusiastic about starting the journey at Boston Medical Center. While BMC isn’t the closest medical option for her family, the quality of care and the relationships she’s built there have kept her coming back.

“It’s like home — my second home,” she said.

In truth, it was her first home.

When Uniqua was 13, she watched her first nephew’s delivery.

“[Nobody could] watch it … I was just, like, amazed,” she said.

The experience made her curio us about her own birth, so she asked her mother how she was born. The next birth she watched was a video of her own. It stunned her.

“I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it,” Uniqua said. “I was so tiny.”

Uniqua had to stay in the incubator for three months. It was two and a half months before Jamilah got to hold the infant in her arms for the first time.

“You would have thought I lived at the hospital, because I was there every single day for three months,” said Jamilah, who had two boys and a girl before Uniqua.

After learning about her beginnings, Uniqua began to develop a strong curiosity about newborns, leading her to consider pediatrics as a career. Her desire to become a neonatologist was confirmed last year, when she shadowed Dr. Vincent Smith at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She watched several deliveries that day — including the birth of a 1-pound baby.

When she got home, the first thing she did was deliver the news to her mother.

“I really want to give mothers hope because I was premature, and I was 1 pound, and I made it,” Uniqua said.

+ Add Comment
Sep 14 14:28pm by 174.110.231.226

 Hello , im 17 years old and this is my 24 week old baby ; i went in to pre-term labor at jus 23wks/0 days .... i had to stay in the hospital on strick bed rest ; until i came to the point when doctors said they would have bein able to give her medical assistance . She ended up making her Grand entrance on March 19 , 2010 .... so tiny but yet so full of life . The doctors explain to me that i had a long way to go ; an that i was still deep in the woods for her survival ; but i had god on my side a whole church family also . She was doin so good for the first three weeks , i was thinkin yeaah my baby is going to fight this out ; but god said it will only get worse before it gets better ; an so it did. Come to find out she had a hole in her intestance ;and  soon the stool would be leaking into her organs which is like poision ; an she could very sick an die . Lord Knows i was scared but i stayed strong for her sake ... so they had to do emergency surgery on her to go in an try to close the whole ; but she was so very tiny ; the ended up having to put a collostomy bag on her until she was five pounds to put the whole back together . She became five pounds soo quick ; an it was surgery time again... which me the road was getting closer for her to come home ... so she had her surgery ; an theywould give her one week to start passin her stool out of her  but again ; well one week pass an no stool :'( . so they had to do the surgery agin to make sure they did every thing right..... one week passed again ; i didnt ever think i would be so happy to see poop in my life but i was ! Two weeks later it was time for her to come on home ;on her original due date July 7 ,2010 .. She is now a health 5 month old on her way to be 6 months :) i so proud of her ;
 
Aug 26 14:55pm by christina [174.113.65.182]

Hi

 

Just wanted to say what a wonderful story.

 My triplets were born also at 24 weeks in 1993. Two of my children survived their prematurity.

I often wonderred what their teenage and adult lives would hold for them. Their is so little information on the impact of prematurity for their later years. It was like a constant navigation of storms, and periods of calm. Their is alot of hope and as your story illustrates wonderful gloriious outcomes. We need however to ensure that their are support systems in place for these children and future adults of tommorrow, so they can all achieve great outcomes.

Michael, was hospitalized for  9 months. He currently enjoys drumming. Although he struggles acadamically, his will and dedication helps him acheive many milestones. He wears glasses, and is quite slim but has a great appetite. He is currently doing volunteer work and will complete is Grade 12 education next year. His carrer choice is still a secret.

Aaron was hospitalized 5 months. He enjoys playing soccer and hockey, and keeps very active all year long. Academically he is on par with his peers(with no help from me, trust me I keep asking him , but he declines) Next year he will have back surgery to correct scoliosis. He aspires to become a health and nutritional expert. He also wears glassess.

Although there was many struggles, oxygen therapy at home, constant hospitalization when they were babies, health wise they are doing well.  

The hardes thing about this experience was the lack of information. Most people do not understand the struggles for the parents during these times which can add to the frustration. You definetely need to take it one day at a time.

Thank you so much for your story, truly inspiring.

Christina

 
 
Feb 4 10:03am by Shakhana F. [168.9.0.88]

OMG! my story is so similar to the one i just read because i to was a premature baby i was born weighing only 1 pound and six ounces just two days before the girl unique was delivered. i am also doing some internship of my own at childrens healthsare of atlanta in hopes of becoming a neonatologist someday. i just cant believe that a person has a similar story to mines and also the fact that we are exactly two days apart i didnt think that someone shared my story.and the birthdays just really freaked me out.
 
Oct 20 10:37am by Christine R [74.94.160.177]

I want to start by saying "GOD is good"! When I first read this story last week, it brought tears to my eyes and all I could say is WOW!! To see any teenage take what they been through and try to make a difference in someone else's life is exciting.Remember, there is truly a bright light at the end of any tunnel if you just believe. I wish Uniqua continued success in pursuing her career.  
 
Oct 18 0:44am by Unqua's Mother [66.203.95.18]

I wanted to thank all who have or do respond to my daughters story becuase things were not easy in more ways than one. I also wanted to get my name corrected becuase an unkown error was made it is Jamilah Mason.

Thank you for all your prayers and we hope for the best with anyone who is struggling through what she went through as a premature baby. These doctors are truly amazing even more now as they were then! IT'S OBVIOUS there is a HUGE light at the end of that tunnel. May God Bless!!!!
 
Oct 16 0:24am by Inez Johniken [64.119.152.202]

What a wonderful story and what a lovely young lady.  My neice gave birth (by C-section) Oct 2, 2008 to a beautiful 1 pound 7 oz girl

Her name is Emonie Jewel.  Today is her second week birthday.  Mother and daughter are doing fine. 

I hope and pray our family premature angle story turn out to be just like this lovely young lady..

May God bless and keep her where ever she go and what ever she decide to do in your live.....
 

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