Paralympian Jessica-Jane Applegate Shares Update on Her Premature Baby
Jessica-Jane Applegate has a significant reason to celebrate following weeks of uncertainty.
“Just a quick update on our incredible Alara ❤️ Yesterday marked a tremendous milestone for our little warrior,” the retired Paralympic swimmer, 29, shared on Instagram on Wednesday, July 22, delivering a heartwarming update on her daughter’s health after her premature birth at 23 weeks gestation.
“After nearly two weeks of repeated lung collapses, receiving antibiotics for suspected NEC, and being diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, Alara finally came off the ventilator and transitioned to BiPAP,” Applegate continued. “She has now successfully been on BiPAP for over 12 hours, and we couldn’t be prouder. This is another remarkable step forward, and she continues to demonstrate her strength and determination to everyone.”
Applegate and her long-term partner, Declan Jermy, discovered they were expecting their first child together in January.
They announced their little one’s arrival on June 26, revealing that she weighed 525g — just over one pound — and was “smaller than the palm of our hand.”
At that time, both Applegate and her daughter, Alara, were being treated for suspected septicaemia (blood poisoning), and while the athlete has since recovered, their daughter remained in intensive care. Alara’s original due date was September 23, as highlighted in a fundraiser initiated by the couple.
“We know there’s still a long road ahead, with her immunizations this Friday and her first eye screening next Tuesday, but for today, we’re celebrating this significant achievement,” Applegate shared alongside adorable photos of her daughter with the hashtag #micropreemie. (A micro preemie is classified as a baby born before week 26 of pregnancy or weighing less than 1 pound, 12 ounces.)
Numerous donations have been made to support the new parents as Alara’s journey continues.
“We’re not people who find it easy to ask for help, but the financial burden has become overwhelming,” reads the fundraiser description. “Declan has had to take time off work to support both me and Alara. Unfortunately, paternity leave only goes so far, and statutory pay does not reflect the reality of our situation.”
They added, “If you can contribute, no matter how small, it would help alleviate some of the financial pressure and allow us to focus on what truly matters: being by Alara’s side as she continues to grow stronger each day.”
