A Legacy of Strength… A Promise of Hope

Penny’s Story: The Legendary Penelope

Penelope Azaliah-Grace Gordon, affectionately known as Penny, entered the world on May 13, 2021—four months ahead of schedule, yet already filled with a strength that defied all odds. Weighing only 12 ounces and measuring 9 ½ inches long, she was impossibly small but undeniably mighty.

From the moment she took her first breath, Penny was a fighter. Despite the expectations stacked against her, she had no brain bleeds, no NEC, and none of the complications commonly seen in babies of her gestational age. Every day, she grew stronger, overcame obstacles, and inspired all who knew her. She was bright, expressive, and determined—she made sure her presence was known.

One day, while checking in milk for Penny at the NICU kiosk, I overheard a couple discussing their twins. They were worried about how small their babies were. I turned to encourage them, reminding them that these babies are resilient. I smiled and said, “My little girl was born weighing only twelve ounces and—”

Before I could finish, the father’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re Penelope’s mom!?”

I nodded, caught off guard. “Yes… how do you know Penny?”

With excitement, he exclaimed, “Everybody knows your baby! Your baby is legendary!”

And she was.

Penny’s name echoed throughout the hospital. The baby who wasn’t supposed to survive but did. The baby who kept fighting despite every obstacle in her way. The baby who proved that miracles exist.

But Penny’s story wasn’t just one of survival—it was one of injustice, resilience, and undeniable strength.

A System That Failed Her

Throughout her time in the NICU and PICU, Penny’s journey was shaped by both moments of immense gratitude and significant challenges. We will always cherish the dedication and compassion of the healthcare professionals who worked tirelessly to care for her, but her journey also exposed areas where critical improvements are desperately needed.

Hospitals should be sanctuaries of healing, where safety and care are unquestionable priorities. But Penny’s journey revealed hard truths—truths that no child, no parent, should ever have to endure.

I lived in Penny’s ICU room 24/7, because I had no choice. Negligence was not a distant fear—it was something I witnessed firsthand. Staff often remarked that they had never seen a parent stay in the ICU as I did, but I knew that if I wasn’t there to protect her, no one else would.

Simple, life-saving protocols were ignored. I watched as medications were dropped on the floor and still prepared for administration. Equipment intended to keep Penny safe was mishandled. I repeatedly raised concerns about symptoms that went ignored—until it was too late.

For months, I warned that Penny was aspirating, that her NJ tube couldn’t be placed correctly. But I was dismissed, told I was over-worrying. Yet every single X-ray showed that the tube was in the stomach, not the jejunum, exactly as I had feared. Her body endured infection after infection—not because she was weak, but because of improper infection control.

And then, the undiscovered broken leg.

For at least 10 days, Penny’s X-rays showed the fracture. No one caught it. During this time, she was agitated, experiencing desats—signs that, in hindsight, were her crying out in pain. Yet, despite this injury, she still underwent normal care, physical therapy, movement—while unknowingly suffering through it.

Instead of taking the time to discover the root cause of her distress, a negligent doctor made a fateful decision. Tired of being called to her room, he gave her Propofol. Penny’s body—so strong, so resilient—began to shut down. Days later, she was gone.

Penny should be here today. She should have come home. But instead of giving her the support she needed, the system put stumbling blocks in her way.

Yet, even in the face of these injustices, Penny never stopped fighting.

Her Legacy Lives On

Penny’s strength, her unyielding spirit, and her ability to inspire hope became the foundation of Penny’s Promise.

No parent should have to fight the way I fought. No child should have to suffer because of preventable failures. Families deserve to be empowered, informed, and heard—not dismissed, silenced, or ignored.

Penny’s Promise exists to stand in the gap for families who may not be able to live in their child’s hospital room or advocate as fiercely as they want to. We exist to ensure that every child receives the highest standard of care, and every parent has the knowledge, resources, and support to protect their child’s well-being.

Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, we aim to redefine the culture of hospital care, making safety, transparency, and accountability the norm, not the exception.

We believe that when families, healthcare providers, and organizations like ours work together, we can create a system where every child has the best possible chance at life.

Penny’s legacy isn’t just a story—it’s a movement. A promise. A call for change.

She was, and always will be, Legendary.