When a baby is admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), their families are taken on an unexpected ride of emotional highs and lows, including uncertainty and worry. For many, it is a journey marked by resilience, strength, and an overwhelming need for hope. For ABC Law Center’s birth injury attorney Taylor Goodwin, that journey is the inspiration behind Niko in the NICU. Niko in the NICU is an uplifting children’s book and 501c3 nonprofit initiative designed to support families navigating one of the most challenging experiences of their lives.
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A Story Born from Experience
Niko in the NICU was inspired by Taylor and her husband Dylan’s son, Niko, who spent 100 days in the NICU after being born prematurely at just 1 pound, 8 ounces. Like many NICU parents, they found themselves facing the unknown, spending long days by the incubator while Niko struggled to breathe on his own and fought infection, wondering when their baby would be cleared to come home.
Determined to turn their experience into something positive, Taylor and Dylan created Niko in the NICU, both a children’s book and a nonprofit organization, to help other families feel less alone during their own NICU journeys. Their mission is simple but powerful: to provide hope, resources, and support to families when they need it most.
The Heart Behind the Book
Niko in the NICU features a baby turtle as its main character. Taylor and Dylan chose this character while recalling their son’s early days in the NICU. “Like a turtle,” Taylor explained, “Niko’s incubator was like a ‘hard shell’ around him, and his tiny limbs were so small compared to his body at the time with him only weighing 1.5 lbs.”
One of Taylor’s favorite moments captured by Niko in the NICU is the NICU “clap out.” For many families, this is a moment they look forward to throughout their NICU stay. A clap out is a celebratory send-off when a baby is finally able to be brought home. Nurses, doctors, and hospital staff line the hallways, cheering as the family exits the unit. It marks the end of a long and difficult journey, offering a moment filled with relief and joy.
For Taylor and her family, Niko’s clap out was unforgettable. It symbolized Niko’s strength and his triumphs. Including this moment in the book was deeply important to their family. “It gives families hope and something to look forward to; a light at the end of the tunnel.”
A Non-Profit with Purpose
Niko in the NICU extends far beyond the pages of a book. It is also a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting NICU families throughout Michigan. Every detail of this initiative is intentional, from thoughtfully curated care packages to acts of kindness that meet families where they are.
All proceeds from the book go directly toward funding support for local families, as well as supporting other important NICU-related charities such as March of Dimes, Project Sweet Peas, and Hand to Hold. Each book purchased becomes more than a story; it becomes a direct source of support for another family in need.
In December 2025, Taylor, Dylan, and their two sons Sonny and Niko were invited to share their story on Detroit, Michigan’s Local 4 News, where they spoke about Niko’s premature birth and how their time in the NICU inspired them to write Niko in the NICU. They highlighted the emotional reality that families face in the NICU and their wish that the book can provide comfort to others going through similar experiences.
Personal Journey to Professional Purpose
Taylor’s passion for helping NICU families is also at the core of her legal career. As an associate attorney at ABC Law Centers, Taylor focuses on birth injury law, advocating for mothers, babies, and families who have experienced medical negligence. Her path to this field wasn’t planned; it was shaped by her own life experiences.
Taylor herself was born prematurely at 28 weeks. Later, after navigating two high-risk pregnancies and spending 100 days in the NICU with her own son, she felt a calling to shift her career toward advocacy.
Before joining ABC Law Centers in 2025, Taylor practiced litigation at a defense firm, where she developed strong skills in medical record analysis, expert collaboration, and trial preparation. While that experience honed her legal skills, her personal journey ultimately led her to pursue a path where she could make a more direct impact on families.
Today, she brings professional expertise and sincere empathy to her work, an invaluable combination when representing families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Taylor’s commitment to maternal and infant health extends to her community involvement as well. She currently serves as a board member of the Detroit Area March of Dimes and is an active member of The Preeclampsia Foundation, supporting initiatives focused on raising awareness and improving outcomes for mothers and babies.
How ABC Law Centers Helps NICU Families
At ABC Law Centers, birth injury is all we do. We understand that supporting families goes far beyond legal representation. It’s about providing compassion, consistent support, and helpful resources during incredibly challenging times.
That’s why we’ve proudly purchased copies of Niko in the NICU to include in our new client care packages. For families who may be facing the uncertainty of a birth injury, the book serves as a thoughtful and comforting reminder that they are not alone.
Why Stories Like This Matter
The NICU experience often feels isolating. Parents may struggle to process what happened, the future implications, or to explain the experience to loved ones.
Books like Niko in the NICU play a crucial role in bridging that gap. They provide language, imagery, and emotional connection that can help families navigate their journey. They also serve as a reminder that behind every NICU stay is a story of resilience, courage, and love.
Niko in the NICU helps raise awareness about these experiences and create a sense of community among families who might otherwise feel alone.
How You Can Help
By purchasing a copy of Niko in the NICU, you are not only gaining a meaningful and uplifting story – you are directly contributing to efforts that provide real support to families in need.
Each purchase helps fund care packages, meals, and resources for NICU families throughout Michigan, extending the impact of Taylor’s mission.