I stood frozen in disbelief as I scanned the latest email in my inbox. It was October 2009 and I had just announced NANT to the world, or more accurately, to a room of about 100 people, which seemed like the whole world at that point. My little idea had grown up and become a reality. And just like now, the 60 inaugural Members were 100% dedicated to the mission. (I still have your PAPER sign-up sheets in my office. I can’t give them up.)
The email was from an OT in Australia. She inquired as to whether she could join NANT as a Member. I thought, “Could our 61st Member really be from Australia? How did this happen, how did she hear about us when we were born just 48 hours ago in the U.S.?”
That was lesson #1 in the power of the internet to connect a passionate under-served group of people to each other.
Small and global. Hmmm.
This was promising. Maybe we could reach therapists in the middle of Montana or Wyoming too – the incredible ones who are geographically isolated. And maybe someday we could help a therapist be the first one to bring this specialty to her country (like Stavroula, our 2016 internatio
Isn’t it crazy to think that we were working hard all over the world (for decades) on similar issues with similar babies and families and couldn’t talk to each other? Couldn’t even say, “Is this what you would do in this situation?” Let alone set standards, develop a Core Scope of Practice, present our own highly regarded research, or become a Certified Neonatal Therapist (CNT).
The speed at which you have united to better serve infants and families from 2009-2018 is astounding. The global reach – staggering. (NANT now has Members in 13 countries!)
And take a look – this is where your colleagues will be coming from for NANT 8 – so far.
United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Australia
Chile
Mexico
Despite the vast number of miles between us and variations in practice, healthcare, and culture, you continue to teach me that the NICU is a very small world unto itself.
In less than 2 months that world will convene in one beautiful hotel in Charlotte, North Carolina.
You are improving the next generation. You are collectively making a global impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes.
This is what it looks like to use the opportunity in every moment. This is intensive caring. This is neonatal therapy.
P.S. It’s only fitting we have participants from Australia this year. A full-circle adventure.
P.P.S. If you’re not already registered, click here to register now.
