Photo/Illutration A message from retired figure skater Shoma Uno, as well as his photos and figure skating shoes that he donated are on display in the NICU alumni gallery at the Japanese Red Cross Aichi Medical Center Nagoya Daini Hospital in Nagoya's Showa Ward on May 10. (Chie Kohara)

NAGOYA--When Shoma Uno was born here prematurely in 1997, his weight was so low that many people didn't think he would live long.

But the infant had the parental support and love that would help him someday become an Olympic medalist and two-time world champion figure skater. 

Uno knew of a Nagoya hospital for low-weight babies like himself and wanted to encourage parents who face the similar difficulties of having premature babies.

In October 2019, Uno sent a telegram and a bouquet of flowers to the Japanese Red Cross Aichi Medical Center Nagoya Daini Hospital in the city's Showa Ward.

"I have come this far thanks to my parents who never gave up on me and raised me with positive affection after I was born small weighing 900 grams 21 years ago," his message reads.

His telegram is now displayed in the middle of a corridor of the neonatal ward leading from the maternity ward to the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) and to the growing care unit (GCU) where newborns in stable condition are admitted.

The telegram continues to attract attention and inspire many mothers and other family members.

Uno, who had been admitted to an NICU at a different hospital, won a silver medal at the Pyeongchang Olympics in the previous year.

According to Taihei Tanaka, former head of the department of neonatology at the Red Cross hospital, Uno heard about a reunion for NICU alumni held at the institution.

But the figure skater was too busy to attend, so he sent the telegram and the flowers instead.

After he won a bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Uno donated a pair of figure skating shoes, photo panels and photos of himself taken when he was a baby hospitalized in the NICU, all of which are also on display in the corridor.

"When I was born, people said it would be fortunate if I could stay alive, and I have grown into an athlete now," Uno says in his message.

Yumiko Tsuboi, chief nurse at the hospital's NICU, said, "Mothers who walk through here blame themselves for giving birth to low-weight babies."

She added: "Mr. Uno was born small, but he has made it big on the international scene. He has inspired many families who walk through here."

Each year, about 400 babies are admitted to the hospital.

About 150 former NICU babies and their families attend a reunion held annually.

"My parents were always worried about me because I was growing up slowly in every way," Uno continues.

Uno's road to success has been an inspirational example for the future of NICU-born babies and their families.

Uno, 26, announced on May 9 that he was retiring from the sport.

Although he has developed a relationship with the hospital over the years, he has yet to attend the NICU alumni reunion due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"He has brought dreams and hope to everyone," Tanaka said. "I hope he will attend the reunion someday and talk about his figure skating life and his childhood. I think it will further encourage children and their families."

FULL TEXT OF UNO'S MESSAGE

"Nice to meet you, I am Shoma Uno.

"I am sending this message for everyone doing all they can to raise their children.

"I heard from an acquaintance about a get-together for children born the same way as me, and I couldn't help but want to support them and decided to send a telegram.

"I have come this far thanks to my parents who never gave up on me and raised me with positive affection after I was born small weighing 900 grams 21 years ago.

"My parents were always worried about me because I was growing up slowly in every way. Although I started speaking late, I still remember a little about my childhood.

"You shouldn't think of your children being born small as a disadvantage, but embrace it as their characteristic trait and enjoy watching them grow up.

"I think children are happy if they remember the smiles of their mothers.

"When I was born, people said it would be fortunate if I could stay alive, and I have grown into an athlete now.

"I'm rooting for the possibilities of the future of your children."

Pyeongchang Olympic silver medalist Shoma Uno

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