Sue Ludwig is a sought after speaker, consultant, writer and educator. In this Little Star Light Episode, with kindness, expertise and humor, Sue shares her training, life experiences and wisdom benefiting audiences from all walks of life.
Author of “Tiny Humans, Big Lessons: How the NICU Taught Me to Live with Energy, Intention and Purpose,” Sue is also the President and Founder of the National Association of Neonatal Therapists, where she uses a unique blend of clinical expertise, innovation, and leadership skills to support the advancement of this specialized field on a global level.
Decades ago, because of my work in children’s hospitals across the country and the training I was undergoing, I was invited to spend time, the midnight shift, in a NYC Hospital NICU - (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) - it was forever memorable and impressionable. It is easy to understand in a NICU that no matter how strong, capable and determined a person is in what they are aware to accomplish in their life, life is about so much more.
This is my 38th year of Foundation work. In the very early years of my career, there were adults who said to me, “I never knew children got cancer. I thought it was an older person's disease.” The world is far more educated now, but even in my long term career in the pediatric oncology field, there have been surprising situations for me during hospital programs. Little Star Foundation has helped many Mom’s, Dad’s and families in hospitals with babies having cancer. I have seen firsthand tumors on a baby’s head nearly bigger than the baby’s head, and tumors growing at paces faster than the baby. Those pictures are not for public viewing even though those babies are precious, adorable and beautiful despite their babyhood diagnosis of cancer.
The toll on babies with cancer, their parents and family easily noticed. The solace in walking in those hospital rooms is we are called to help and we show up to help. Two pictures of older children with cancer in hospital programs with myself and Adriana are included. This month in just one of our hospital programs over 30 families will receive financial assistance and that is just one of several in a month of our year round programs ongoing across the country you have helped make possible. Thank you to everyone who has been part of that help. On behalf of the babies, children and families of Little Star Foundation and everyone at Little Star Foundation, thank you.
