"January 14, 2006

To Whom It May Concern:

When we arrived in Chicago for our last weekend vacation before the birth of our first child, my wife Jennifer and I had no idea what was awaiting us.

Jennifer was pregnant with our first child, and was due on February 11th, 2006. A weekend trip to Chicago on November 5th 2005 seemed like a great idea. Our son Nathan, however, had different plans for us. After much pain and suffering, both physical and emotional, Nathan was delivered 3 months prematurely at Rush University Medical Center on November 9th 2005. He was immediately admitted to the Neo Intensive Care Unit (NICU), while Jennifer was given a private room for her recovery. We were told that Jennifer would be released within the next four days, while Nathan would be staying in the NICU approximately until his due date (3 months).

During those first few scary, unknown, uneasy, and emotional days we were at a complete loss as to how we would deal with this challenge. Being that we were from Baltimore, and that we had no relatives or friends in Chicago, we felt completely helpless. Jennifer’s discharge date was approaching fast, and we had no where to go, and no plan for the next 3 months.

The hospital social worker informed us that there was a new program being started called the Illinois Medical District Guest House. She connected us up with the Special Services office, where Paola, Denise, and Nancy have informed us that we could rent, at very affordable rates, a small apartment two blocks away from the hospital. We were shown pictures of the apartments. It seemed too good to be true. Denise offered to take me to the building and show me one of the apartments. I must attest that the moment I walked through the door of the apartment, I felt that a new world had begun for us and our new family. The most basic need of having a place to stay upon Jennifer’s discharge
was met.

The fact that we had a fully furnished place to stay near the hospital at an affordable price was such a treat for us; it has
been the one constant positive aspect of our new life during
the extreme ups and downs of dealing with a very sick
premature baby. Nathan came to the world with many
challenges such as infections, premature lungs, possible surfactant deficiency, multiple blood transfusions, brain hemorrhages, and inflamed ventricles.

Dealing with Nathan’s challenges was made easier by knowing that at the end of each day we had a place to stay where all the amenities, such as furniture, kitchenware, and linens were available. We feel lucky to have qualified for staying at one of the guest house apartments, and we are very appreciative of this benefit given to us. Without this apartment we would have had very limited, if no, options. Our case is a prime example of how important the IMD Guest House program is. We would like to thank Marianne Floriano, and the Patient Special Services office (Paola Cieslak, Nancy Konstant, and Denise Petro) for making this possible for us. We feel privileged and obligated to you all, for providing this vital service to us.

Nathan is getting closer to coming home. He is doing well, growing strong, and we expect that he will be discharged by the end of January. We are looking forward to his speedy and full recovery and his return to our hometown Baltimore. We will stay in touch with the office, and will be sending you pictures of him as he grows up.

Sincerely,"

Aris and Jennifer Cleanthous