AKRON, Ohio – 8-year-old Bekah Plant is like most children her age. But life for her wasn't always so simple.

• At Akron Children's Hospital, more than 860 babies are cared for every year —many, due to premature birth
• A "Wall of Hope" is featured in the NICU as a way to offer hope to families
• The wall shares the stories behind more than 24 babies who were once in the NICU and where they are now

"We had our daughter Rebekah, I said she's making such a cute little noise and the nurse said that is not a cute little noise, we'll be right back, and grabbed her and ran out of the room," said Sarah Plant, Bekah’s mother.

Bekah was born 5 weeks early with two holes in her heart. She had difficulty breathing and eating.

As a newborn, doctors performed open heart surgery. She spent 70 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Akron Children's Hospital.

"We walked in the first night not knowing if our baby was going to live or die,” said Sarah Plant. “It's kind of hard to remember her being a tiny premie baby now in the middle of her 8-year-old world."

But others do remember. Bekah's story lives on at Akron Children's Hospital on the Wall of Hope.

She's alongside her NICU roommate Tailyn and many other babies.

"It is very rewarding as a staff member to see that the baby you took care of is actually doing well now or has progressed in life," said Kim Firestone, outreach, Akron Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

More than 24 NICU babies are featured on the 'Wall of Hope' at Akron Children's Hospital. It offers families hope and inspiration during the most difficult times.

"That wall, actually, I have taken care of every one of those children, I have transported some of them in," said Colette Benincasa, Akron Children’s NICU transport nurse.

The Wall of Hope tells the story behind a child who was in the NICU and where they are now.

It's not just for families. It also helps NICU nurses such as Colette Benincasa.

"We love to see it, it rewards us for the work that we do, for all those hard days and hard nights that we have and we get to see that the kids are growing up and they're beautiful," said Benincasa.

On average, about 65 babies are cared for in Akron Children's NICU every day, many due to premature birth.

Last year, more than 860 infants were admitted.

As numbers continue rising every year, so does the Wall of Hope — proving each picture is worth a thousand words.

"We need to see the families leave here and have a life, and so I think that's what the wall offers to us," said Firestone.

"To see the pictures of our big kids up on the wall, I really really hope it makes them see that they can do it every day…some days are hard and some days are great," said Sarah Plant.