Miracle baby Hope defies the odds and inspires parents to give back

Back to list 15/07/2026

A baby girl born weighing only half as much as a standard bag of sugar and facing the slimmest chance of survival is now thriving at home with her family in Fife after spending more than four months in neonatal care.

Hope arrived at just 22 weeks gestation. Compare this for a moment with the UK average pregnancy which lasts 40 weeks. Hope arrived many months before she was expected and weighing only 511 grams at birth, was at the very limit of what modern medicine can support. Babies born this early face significant challenges and only a minority survive to leave hospital. This is what makes Hope's journey home, after 142 days in neonatal care, all the more remarkable.

For her parents, Shannon and Gary, the road to bringing Hope home was filled with uncertainty, determination and moments when they simply had to take one day at a time.

Hope spent her first 85 days receiving specialist care in Glasgow. At this point Hope was well enough to be released back to the care of NHS Fife where staff at the Neonatal Unit in Victoria Hospital continued to support her and her family through the next stages of her recovery.

Despite arriving in the world months earlier than expected and facing challenges that come with extreme prematurity, Hope continued to show incredible strength and resilience, with staff on the Unit describing Hope’s extraordinary progress since birth as "a miracle".

Hope's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Babies born this early face enormous challenges, and every milestone she reached was a testament to her determination, the love and dedication of her family, and the expert care provided by the neonatal teams in both Glasgow and in Fife.

We are delighted for Shannon, Gary, Rome, Remy and, of course, Hope herself. Seeing Hope thrive at home with her family is exactly why we do what we do.

Amy Moran , Senior Charge Nurse in the Neonatal Unit, Victoria Hospital

Today, Hope is at home in Fife with her proud parents and older siblings, Rome and Remy, enjoying family life and continuing to make progress every day.

The family's experience has also inspired them to give something back to the service that helped save Hope's life. Shannon and Gary have now launched their own business, Hope's Tiny Tapes, producing oxygen tapes designed for babies and young children who need medical support. Their ambition is to use the venture to raise funds and donate money to NHS Fife's Neonatal Unit, helping other families facing similarly difficult journeys.

Shannon said: "When Hope was born, we didn't know what the future would hold. Every day felt like a milestone and every small step forward was a reason to celebrate. The support we received from neonatal teams in Glasgow and at Victoria Hospital was incredible, and we'll always be grateful for everything they did for Hope and our family.
"Bringing her home was a moment we had dreamed about for months. Starting Hope's Tiny Tapes is our way of giving something back and helping support the unit that cared for our daughter during the most challenging time of our lives."

Starting Hope's Tiny Tapes is our way of giving something back and helping support the unit that cared for our daughter during the most challenging time of our lives.

Shannon , Hope's mum

What are Oxygen tapes?

Oxygen tapes for premature babies are specialised, skin-safe medical adhesives used to secure nasal cannulas (the tiny tubes that provide extra oxygen) to the baby's face. These are hypoallergenic, latex-free, and highly breathable tapes that stretch to accommodate an infant's tiny, contoured face without restricting movement. They prevent the delicate tubing from shifting or rubbing against the skin, crucial for preventing pressure injuries on a premature baby's face.

While Hope’s start in life was far from certain, she has become a symbol of what can be achieved through specialist neonatal care, determination and an extraordinary fighting spirit. Thanks to her family's commitment to supporting others through Hope's Tiny Tapes, their experience is already helping to have an influence for future neonatal patients and their families.