Published: September 17, 2025
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
After 622 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at Norton Children’s Hospital, Kingston Bryant finally got to go home. It was a moment his family had been dreaming of for nearly two years.
Born at just 25 weeks of gestation, weighing less than a pound, Kingston entered the world fighting for his life. From day 1, he was surrounded by a team of doctors, nurses and specialists who became more than caregivers. They became family.
“We never imagined it would be 622 days,” said Kaycee Hartman, Kingston’s mom. “It’s been a roller coaster. There’s been sadness, happiness, fear and hope. But today, we’re just overwhelmed with gratitude.”
Throughout his stay at Norton Children’s, Kingston’s resilience inspired everyone around him. Described as a “ham,” the team quickly fell in love with his personality and contagious smile.
“He’s so happy and playful, and we’re going to miss him,” said Angela Cox, M.D., neonatologist, Norton Children’s. “It’s moments like these that reinforce why we do what we do.”
That love was on display as Kingston left the hospital in late August. Doctors, nurses, and staff, many of whom had cared for Kingston since birth, lined the corridors with streamers, hugs and a few joyful tears to send him off in style. It was a celebration of a journey that touched the family.
“These people have been by his side through the toughest moments,” Kaycee said. “They’ve loved him like we do. They’ve comforted us when we couldn’t be here. They’ll always be part of his story.”
Now, Kingston is home experiencing life outside the hospital walls for the first time. Trips to Friday night football games and the zoo are in his future. For Kaycee, simply being under the same roof as a family is a milestone.
“We just want him to live a normal life, to explore everything he’s missed out on,” she said.
As they walked out the hospital doors, they stepped into a new chapter. It’s a chapter filled with hope, healing and a future that Kingston, his family, and his team at Norton Children’s fought so hard to reach.
Kingston is finally home.