Photo By Jennifer Scales | Rose Hutson (left) and Adrin Hamilton display a few of the items the expectant...... read more read more
Two car seats…two blanket sets…two diaper bags…let’s just say the expectant mother of twins, Air Force veteran Monique Johnson, got double the gifts at the Annual Veterans Baby Shower held in the Poat Auditorium May 8 of the Columbia VA Health Care System.
The Department of Veterans Affairs supports baby showers at VA sites across the country for veterans and their families during the week before Mother’s Day. According to VA statistics, over 2,400 veteran parents were scheduled to deliver in 2019.
Registered nurse Rose Hutson is the Women’s Veterans Program Manager of the Columbia VA Health Care System and happens to have oversight of this special event. “We have 72 enrolled expectant parents in our system,” Hutson said. “This program lets them know that the VA cares about them and will support them in all aspects of their health, while tracking them through their pregnancy.”
Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Columbia VA Health Care System, David Omura, was present to greet the veterans and begin by saying, “By having such events, this shows we are on par with service that we provide our male veterans.”
Omura also shared his excitement concerning the upcoming expansions in the works for the campus that will enhance women’s care, which includes a $17 million dollar building that will consist of a complete women’s health facility with specialty modules for mammography and OB/GYN.
“Our focus on female veterans can be done more successfully with these new site plans,” Omura added. “Plus, you must continue to let your voice be heard as this is your VA.”
Johnson, noted as one of the twin-expectant moms in attendance, stated she didn’t know what was going to happen at this event. “I thought this would a session where we sit around and talk to other pregnant moms about what we were going through and what to expect. I had no idea it was going to be as overwhelming as this,” Johnson said. “I was beginning to worry about getting one car seat, not to say two. This was well worth attending. I’m speechless.”
Every expectant family was given a brand-new car seat, which was provided by the Disable American’s Veterans organization. Other gifts included diapers, newborn clothing, diaper bags and more.
In addition to the gifts, informational presentations were given on breastfeeding and the basics of car seats from newborn to pre-teen. Nutritional food to whet the family appetite was also served.
Air Force veteran LaToya Mungin, attending for Johnson’s moral support, was impressed with the event. “This is amazing, and the gifts are really nice. As a new godmother this gives me an idea of what essentials are needed for my future godson and goddaughter,” Mungin said.
Amber Durrence, Air Force veteran, was also in attendance. “There’s a lot of great stuff here for us, along with the information. I had no idea the VA had so much to offer women, especially those of us who are pregnant,” Durrence said.
| Date Taken: | 05.08.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.24.2019 14:18 |
| Story ID: | 323926 |
| Location: | COLUMBIA, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 70 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Baby shower rains with happiness, surprise emotions from veterans of Columbia VAHCS, by Jennifer Scales, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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