Nationwide — Tripp Abney, an African American baby from Chickasaw, Alabama born at just 21 weeks, recently marked his first birthday. He was initially given only a 1% chance of survival, but he has proved to be a little fighter.Herron Abney III, known as “Tripp,” was born on July 12, 2023, to Herron Abney II and Trashinda Gavin. Tripp entered the world three months early after his mother got into an accident on the stairs that led to premature labor, according to WLBT.
Born weighing only 15.3 ounces, Tripp spent 5 months in the neonatal intensive care unit at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital. Now a happy and healthy one-year-old, Tripp is a beacon of hope and resilience.
His mother, Trashinda Gavin, expressed her gratitude for the medical team’s support, saying, “I want to thank all the nurses that looked after him in the NICU, all the doctors that had to oversee him and nurse practitioners and any other specialists, everybody that had to work with him.”
Tripp’s family celebrated his milestone with a superhero-themed party, reflecting his incredible journey. Dressed in Superman costumes, they honored the little boy whose story has touched many lives.
“I just want to tell everybody to be an advocate for your family member,” said Telisha Sims, Tripp’s aunt. “Don’t just accept the first diagnosis that the doctors give. Give your family members a chance. We’re looking at a miracle. This baby was not supposed to live… but God.”
Tripp’s premature birth puts him just behind Curtis Means, who holds the Guinness World Record for the most premature surviving baby. Curtis was born at 21 weeks and 1 day in July 2020 while Tripp was born at 21 weeks and 3 days.