Backus joins in population celebration

November 4, 2011

In spirit of the Monday birth of the world’s seven billionth baby, Backus is bringing the celebration home!  Honoring this milestone in the world’s population, the staff in the Birthing Center would like to introduce Norwich’s very own “seven billion” darlings.

Born Oct. 31, Josie Gayle Arndt and Amairaly Skye Perry are the local seven billion babies.  Delivered by Suzelle Hendsch, MD, baby Josie was born at 4:01 p.m. to parents Lacey and Jason Arndt of Norwich.  She is the family’s second child and joins two-year-old sister, Addison.

Having been in the hospital delivering Josie, Mrs. Arndt said she wasn’t aware of all the hype surrounding the world’s seven billionth baby.  However, she said, “I wasn’t really thrilled with the idea of Josie being born on Halloween, so this gives us a historical perspective to focus on.”

Mrs. Arndt added, “I actually thought the world population was higher than that.  It would be interesting to know and compare the world population at the time my husband and I were born.”

Amairaly Skye Perry was brought into the world a mere 39 minutes before Josie at 3:22 p.m.  Delivered by Certified Nurse Midwife, Tyann Nordness, Amairaly was born to parents Adrienne Velez and Alex Perry of Norwich.

“It’s cool to think that Amairaly could have been born as the world’s seventh billion person,” said Ms. Velez.  “I hope the children of today bring a better tomorrow.  I wish a good, peaceful life for my baby.”

Globally, the Philippines welcomed the world’s seven billionth baby at 11:58 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30.  Danica May Camacho was born to parents Camille Galura and Florante Camacho at a crowded Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in the city of Manila.

At only 5.5 pounds, little Danica is a symbol of the world’s population reaching the seven billion mark, and is part of the United Nation’s (UN) seven billion global projection.  As part of its seven billion initiatives, the UN is urging world leaders to confront the challenges of a world with an exploding population including adequate food and clean water, and granting equal access to security and justice.