Tufts NICU Nurse Fosters Children Exposed To Drugs

BOSTON (CBS) – Two nurses in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit have treated some of the sickest and tiniest babies and have brought more than a dozen home over the years as foster children. Dr. Mallika Marshall introduces you to this special family. Like many of us, the Sepulvedas are decorating gingerbread houses for the holidays, but this is no ordinary family. Shelly Sepulveda is a NICU nurse at the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center. She and her wife Tami Sepulveda, also a NICU nurse, have taken in 16 foster children over the past seven years, almost all of them exposed to drugs at birth. “I wanted to give them the childhood that I had growing up,” says Shelly. “Foster care has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” explains Tami. They have adopted three of the kids, Tyler age 6, Shaelin and Abby, both seven, and they hope to adopt a two-year-old foster child currently in their care. They also have a 10-year-old biological son, Samuel as well as a dog a cat, and a bird. Things can get pretty crazy in their Braintree home. Most of the children have ADHD, one has autism, one needed major skull surgery and one has HIV. They’re all on daily medication. “It’s challenging at times,” says Shelly, “But if you give these kids an environment they can thrive. And you see that as your reward as a parent.” Dr. Jonathan Davis, the Chief of Neonatology at Floating Hospital says Shelly and Tami are d...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health Local News Seen On WBZ-TV Syndicated Local Watch Listen Dr. Mallika Marshall Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center Source Type: news