Boston, Mass. – A local family is facing an emotional and logistical ordeal as their newborn twins, Kendall and Juliette, receive critical care at two different hospitals during an ongoing nurses’ strike. The twins, each weighing just over two pounds, underwent major surgeries: Kendall had spina bifida repair at Boston Children’s Hospital, while Juliette required heart‑valve surgery and was transferred to Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Family struggles amid strike
Michael Kennedy, the father, described the toll the situation has taken on his wife and their older children, 11‑month‑old Callan and three‑year‑old Aurora. “My wife is unbelievably strong, and it’s taking a toll on her,” he said. The parents are delivering breast milk to both hospitals and coping with daily NICU challenges, including moments when Juliette has pulled tubes out and emergency alarms have sounded.
Distance adds to hardship
The two hospitals sit roughly half a mile apart, forcing the family to shuttle between locations multiple times a day. “There were days when she pulls tubes out, emergency buttons are hit. A bunch of people have run into the room and got her back,” Kennedy recounted. The constant travel and uncertainty have left the mother “sitting there not knowing what’s going to happen to our baby,” according to the father.
Legislators step in
Recognizing the family’s plight, state Representative Bill Galvin and Senator James Feeney have reached out to offer assistance. Kennedy said, “I received an email from Representative Bill Galvin and also Senator Feeney, and they are trying to help us with this transition, but they know the strike is coming and they know the severity of that.” Their involvement underscores the broader community concern as the nurses’ strike threatens to disrupt care for many vulnerable patients across the Commonwealth.
Hospital statements
Brigham and Women’s Hospital issued a statement emphasizing that transfer decisions are based on multiple factors, including the baby’s medical condition, stability, clinical needs, parental wishes, and bed availability. Boston Children’s Hospital has not released a comment beyond standard care protocols.
Impact on families
Beyond the immediate medical challenges, the Kennedy family is juggling the needs of their two older children at home. The strain of caring for a newborn in intensive care while maintaining a household highlights the broader ripple effects of labor disputes on families.
Looking ahead
As the nurses’ strike looms, hospitals are preparing contingency plans, but families like the Kennedys remain uncertain about the duration of separate care. Community members and local officials are urging a swift resolution to the labor dispute to ensure that all patients, especially the most vulnerable, receive consistent and compassionate care.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
