Jude and Leo Hawes have come a long way since they entered the world, born at just 29weeks. Airlifted from their home in Launceston to hospital in Hobart, the twins, now happy and healthy two-year-olds, were delivered into the ICU to be cared for and monitored. A gift from the Tasmanian branch of Octopus for a Preemie (早产儿) for them was a light in the dark.
“These stories really do remind us why we all spend so much time and our own money making these octopuses (章鱼),” Bianca, the co-founder of the project, tells Woman’s Day. “It means the world to me that I can do something in whatever small way to make the journey for the babies and parents just that little bit easier. I believe if we can help others, no matter how small a way it is, then we should.”
The eight-legged creatures are specially created to calm and comfort early newborns.“In instances where the babies can’t be held for weeks, or even months, the familiarity of the parents’ scent (气味) on the octopuses can help with the bonding process because babies already know it as a safe scent when parents can finally hold them,”Bianca says.
The volunteer project began after a nurse reached out to Bianca to create a prototype of octopus she could take into hospital for a trial.
“It took me a good four to five months to teach myself how to write a pattern and get it approved,”explains Bianca, who creates the handmade helpful octopuses for no cost to families in need.
“I started making them as fast as I could, but I wasn’t able to make the amount they needed.” Soon Bianca met the group’s other co-founder Andrea Carey and the pair started creating the creatures in together in their spare time.
“I have always enjoyed being creative and my imagination runs wild with colour combinations,” says Bianca, her Facebook page Octopus for a Preemie Tasmania accumulating more than 2000 followers.“It makes my day!”
4. What is the purpose of the project?
A.To promote octopuses to preemies. |
B.To comfort the preemies’ parents. |
C.To reach out to nurses for preemies. |
D.To bring a sense of security for preemies. |
5. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “prototype” In paragraph 4?
A.Certificate. | B.Model. | C.Patent. | D.Trademark. |
6. What can we learn about the project from the last two paragraphs?
A.It is well received. |
B.It is highly profitable. |
C.It needs to be improved. |
D.It takes ages to see the results. |
7. What does Bianca’s story imply?
A.Good is rewarded with good. |
B.Two heads are better than one. |
C.Small deeds make a difference. |
D.Actions speak louder than words. |