Baby’s cry for help answered by community

By ANNA AUSTIN
In small-town North Dakota, when a neighbor is in trouble it’s uncommon for those in distress to have to ask for help.
It has become common courtesy and an area trademark to be proud of.
New to the area, Amy and Craig Conner have already experienced several doses of that North Dakota nice. However, on account of a nightmare the family experienced back in June, the young family has been left still in need of help.
Amy, originally from Grygla, Minn., and her husband Craig, a native of Gilby, N.D., made their home southeast of Buxton about a year ago, along with their two children.
Although today members of the Conner family are happy and healthy, just two short months ago circumstances were different.
On June __ , 2007 Amy was scheduled to have a cesarean section at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks to deliver the couple’s third child, Evelyn Adeline. Her previous children had all been delivered in the same manner, without any complications.
What seemed like a routine quickly took a turn for the worst.
Evelyn was suffering from respiratory distress, a disorder in which the lungs have not reached full maturity. Holes then developed in them, which caused both her lungs to collapse.
Having to be on a ventilator, three tubes in her chest to keep oxygen levels up, and feeding tubes inserted, little Evelyn was fighting for her life.
It was discovered quickly that the tubes were not as efficient in raising oxygen levels as they should be, and Evelyn now had to endure a blood transfusion.
The next day, she was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at MeritCare in Fargo.
It was so scary,” admitted Amy. “Especially since my other children had no problems. You just don’t expect something like that to happen.”
“Our two-year-old daughter Sophia was even two weeks early, and weighed only five pounds,” Craig added. “Yet no problems.”
Unfortunately, due to a minimum visitor age requirement, the Conners were left scrambling for a babysitter.
Luckily, Craig’s mother was happy to help.
Unable to breathe on her own, Evelyn was also extremely sensitive to sound and light. Earmuffs and eye patches were essential for her health and comfort.
“It was really hard seeing her like that,” Amy recalled.
Siblings Jack, 4, and Sophia, 2, soon became very anxious to see their baby sister.
“I think they thought I was lying about them having a sister,” said Amy. “They kept asking, ‘well, where is she?’”
Having to spend hours a day at the hospital for weeks, the Conners received lots of help from their Buxton neighbors.
“One neighbor went over and mowed our lawn,” said Amy. “Another came over and even weed whacked for us!”
Slowly but surely, Evelyn began to recover and was finally able to join the rest of her family at home.
It was truly a wonderful day for the Conners.
“Jack and Sophia couldn’t stop touching her,” said Amy. “Jack says it’s his job now to take care of his little sisters.”
Amy, who is currently attending the University of North Dakota to obtain her R.N. license, had no choice but to quit her job at the Buxton daycare so that when not in class, she could stay home and care for Evelyn.
“She’s doing so good,” she said. “You wouldn’t even know she was so sick by looking at her. She‘s improving more and more each day.”
A benefit for baby Evelyn has been organized by various members of the community for Saturday, Sept 8 at 5 p.m. at the Buxton Fire Hall.
Said one organizer Lisa Magnuson, “We decided to organize the benefit for the Conners because they’re a young family and have recently moved to the community. They really need some help, both with hospital bills and from Amy’s loss of income from staying home to care for Evelyn.”
“This is a great family in need of financial help with the mounting costs and hardship they have to endure,” added Buxton resident Tammy Ensign.
Several employees at Amy’s previous job at the Buxton daycare have been involved in planning the event.
“It’s what most of us would appreciate for someone to do for us if we were in the same situation,” added Magnuson. “It’s important to take time to help out a neighbor.”
Food served at the benefit will include barbeques, potato chips, baked beans and bars.
Kids crafts will begin at 5:30 with games, prizes and bingo at 6.
Through the duration of the benefit, a silent auction will be held. Items up for bid, donated by local businesses and persons include portrait and hair cut packages, car washes, quilts, gift baskets, hunting items and more.
A coloring contest is being held pre-benefit and sheets will be distributed at Central Valley School and the Buxton daycare next week.
The benefit will also receive supplemental funds from the Traill County Chapter of Thrivent Financial For Lutherans.
“Amy and I want to thank everybody for their help so far,” said Craig. “For living here for a short time, everybody has taken us in like family.”
“We will definitely be here for a long, long time.”