Paralympic gold medalist Jessica-Jane Applegate is celebrating a major milestone for her baby daughter after a difficult several weeks in the hospital.
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Applegate welcomed daughter Alara on May 29 at just 23 weeks gestation. The extremely premature newborn has remained in the NICU since her birth, with Applegate sharing updates about her progress along the way.
This week brought some especially encouraging news.
"Yesterday was a huge milestone for our little warrior," Applegate wrote on social media.
The British swimmer revealed that Alara had endured nearly two weeks of repeated lung collapses and had been treated for suspected necrotizing enterocolitis, or NEC. She was also diagnosed with an underactive thyroid.
But Alara has now been taken off a ventilator and transitioned to BiPAP breathing support.
"She has now managed over 12 hours on BiPAP, and we couldn't be prouder," Applegate wrote. "It's another incredible step forward, and she's continuing to show everyone just how strong and determined she is."
Applegate acknowledged that her daughter still has a long road ahead, including upcoming immunizations and her first eye screening.
That said, she and partner Declan Jermy are choosing to celebrate the progress.
"We know there is still a long journey ahead," Applegate wrote, "but for today we're celebrating this huge achievement."
Applegate, 29, has represented Great Britain at multiple Paralympic Games and won gold in the 200-meter freestyle at the 2012 London Games.
