Soleia & Saint
When Rochelle Petravich learned she was expecting twins, it was both an exciting and challenging time for her family. Early in her pregnancy, her son, Saint was diagnosed with Trisomy 21. At 35 weeks, At 35 weeks, Rochelle gave birth to her twins, Soleia and Saint, and both babies were quickly admitted to the NICU. While Soleia was able to return home after just one day, Saint needed to stay for 21 days due to concerns surrounding his feeding and the prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. It was during this stressful time that Rochelle was introduced to Southwest Human Development’s Smooth Way Home program.
“After Saint’s 21-day stay in the NICU, the hospital referred me to Smooth Way Home. We connected with their incredible team, and that’s where it all began,” shared Rochelle. Through the program, she was paired with an infant specialist and a registered nurse who visited their home, offering critical support and guidance for her premature babies. “The team checked up on their milestones, which was so important since they were preemies. The milestones gave me peace of mind,” Rochelle explained.
As the family navigated these early months, they discovered that Soleia struggled with feeding. She would often become fussy while trying to eat, and no one could figure out why. “We were always confused as to why she was having such a hard time with her bottle,” Rochelle said. Fortunately, with the help of their infant specialist, it was determined that Soleia had a tongue and lip tie, making feeding painful and difficult. “The day after her treatment, she started eating perfectly fine—it was such a relief.”
Saint faced his own challenges with a lip tie, which was also addressed through the program’s guidance. Additionally, through Smooth Way Home, the family was referred to the ADAPT Shop, where a custom chair was made for Saint to help him with sensory needs and development. “The chair helps him touch the floor and feel grounded, which has been so beneficial,” Rochelle said.
For the Petravich family, the support from Southwest Human Development has been invaluable. “I learned so much through the program, even though I had already had a child before the twins. The staff went above and beyond to find resources and answers for us,” Rochelle shared. She recalled a pivotal moment when Soleia’s feeding issues were resolved: “It was a game changer. I felt so blessed to have the support and guidance from Smooth Way Home.”
Rochelle’s journey with Smooth Way Home and the support from Southwest Human Development has been truly transformative for her family. Reflecting on the experience, she shares how the team’s compassion and resourcefulness eased many of the burdens that came with raising two premature children. “I couldn’t recommend them enough. They helped lift such a weight off my shoulders, and I’m so grateful for everything they’ve done for my twins and our family,” she said.
The Petravich family’s experience highlights the incredible difference that early intervention and specialized support can make. Through Smooth Way Home, both Soleia and Saint’s unique developmental needs were addressed, providing not only immediate relief for their feeding challenges but also setting them on a path toward a healthier future. Rochelle’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of community and expert care, offering hope and strength to parents facing similar challenges. Thanks to Smooth Way Home, families like the Petravich’s are empowered, supported, and reminded that they are never alone in their journey.