Brockton's own miracle baby defies all odds — from micro-preemie to unstoppable BHS grad
BROCKTON — Brockton's own miracle baby has defied all odds after doctors predicted the worst of his premature birth.
Marc Mullings graduated from Brockton High School on June 1 — walking across the field and flexing his muscles, excited for what life has in store for him.
"Watching him graduate was amazing. I was kind of lost for words. We were surprised that time flew by so fast, and we saw his progress from the NICU and then daycare. Now, he's starting college this year," Marc's mother Alicia Mullings said.
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When Marc was born, he spent the first four months of his life at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Boston.
Marc came into the world fighting for his life as a "micro-preemie" with a heart that hadn't fully formed and lungs that couldn't yet sustain him on their own. Marc weighed 1 pound and 15 ounces and underwent multiple life-saving surgeries for the hole leading to his heart and bleeding in his brain.
Marc’s parents couldn’t hug him for months. His father’s wedding ring fit around his entire arm.
Marc's parents consider him a miracle baby because doctors didn't think he would survive or have a normal life, but Marc proved them wrong.
"The doctors sat us down and talked to us about his quality of life. They said we had to think: Do you want to put him through that?" Alicia said.
Hearing words like that from a doctor tore the family up inside, leaving them wondering," How could you say that to someone?"
"If Marc doesn't have the surgery, he won't even have a life, and I was so upset with the doctor," Alicia said.
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Not just surviving but thriving
But Marc would tell a completely different story.
"It's mind-blowing to hear because I don't remember any of it," Marc said.
Now, Marc is a healthy 18-year-old high school graduate with no chronic health conditions or problems. The active teenager loves working out five to six times a week, playing video games, stock trading, sneaker reselling, and scuba diving with his father, Marcel Mullings.
"But so far, life has been so unreal, and I feel so lucky and appreciate my parents for creating a life like this for me," Marc said.
The future for Marc is bright
Marc's future is looking super bright as he smashes out some goals, including getting two jobs of his dreams: becoming a strength and conditioning trainer and a sales associate at a marketing company this summer.
Just a few weeks ago, Marc was enjoying prom as his last hurrah as a high school senior.
"Prom was awesome. We went out with a bang, and seeing my friends celebrate our hard work over the past four years and making memories was indescribable," Marc said.
Marc plans to attend Massasoit Community College in the fall, receive an associate's degree in finance, and then attend Stonehill College.
"I'm just lucky for all the support around me, and I'm grateful," Marc said.
Alisha Saint-Ciel can be reached by email at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton's 'miracle baby' goes from micro-preemie to unstoppable
