STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Born 12 weeks premature, doctors did not diagnose three-year-old Chris Bailey with cerebral palsy until his first birthday -- all the while his parents fearing the worst for their son, as they imagined a life filled with impossible hurdles to overcome.
On Sunday, he and 35 other "preemies" who beat the odds, strutted their stuff down the runway as part of the March of Dimes Precious Preemie Fashion Show.
Toddlers to preteens, all primed to take the stage, put their best foot forward during the event held in the Vanderbilt at South Beach. Nearly 300 family members flashed their cameras on the child models.
"It's an amazing feeling watching him. He worked hard to be able to do this today," said Victoria Bailey, who held her son's hand with her husband as the family walked together down the runway.
"He's a fighter. You really celebrate every milestone when you have a child with cerebral palsy. Him just sitting and standing up for the first time was amazing."
Proceeds from the annual fashion show go toward March of Dimes' research to help eliminate premature births. Sunday's event was held in conjunction with World Prematurity Awareness Day, celebrated nationally on Nov. 17.
"This is an opportunity for parents and children to celebrate how far they've come," said Mary Anne Semon, Staten Island division director for the March of Dimes.
In addition to the charitable contributions, the event also honored those "angel babies" who did not survive their birth.
"Basically in one sentence this is what the mission is all about," said Eleanor Conforti, chairwoman of the Staten Island division of the March of Dimes. "We're here to address the concerns of premature birth."
The Romano family from Bay Terrace, the state chapter Ambassador Family for the March of Dimes, certainly appreciated all the organization has done for their twin daughters, Jamie and Jianna, born 14 weeks premature.
"It's extremely heartbreaking when your children are born and you don't know if they'll survive," said the girl's mother, Janine Romano.
"My daughters were only given a 10 percent survival rate and to see them walking down the runway today -- it's a blessing."
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