Maddie’s World is a place where parents of premature and small infants can find appropriately sized toys for their loved ones. Many infants can’t use regular-sized toys, which are a critical way babies’ motor skills grow and develop. Maddie’s World brings small-sized goods within reach.

Parents Donna and Joe Lefcourt created Maddie’s World after their first-hand experience with premature birth when their twins Will and Maddie were born at 24 weeks. While medical complications claimed Will six days after he was born, his sibling Maddie faced a number of developmental issues that had the potential to affect her motor skills.

As Maddie grew, it was difficult for Donna and Joe to find toys that Maddie could hold or even grasp. That’s when Donna’s motherly intuition gave her the idea to form a company that could help children like Maddie.

Along with bringing Maddie’s World to life, Donna actively helps families of premature babies in her local community. She is also a member of the Parent Advisory Council at The Medical Center in Columbus, Georgia, the hospital where her children were born.

Maddie’s World supports the community hospitals that provide critical care to premature infants by donating a portion of each sale to the Children’s Miracle Network. Above all, the Lefcourts hope Maddie’s World is an inspiration. That life can be beautiful even in the midst of devastating loss. And to the many parents, children and families who face the challenges of premature birth every day. Welcome to Maddie’s World!

After years of tests and surgery, Donna and Joe Lefcourt were thrilled to learn Donna was finally carrying twins, a boy and a girl. The news was even more wonderful for Donna, who’d often dreamed of having twins throughout her life.

Like most pregnancies, Donna’s pregnancy progressed beautifully. Her ob/gyn gave her an excellent report at her 24 week appointment. A few days later, however, Donna went into labor and delivered Will and Maddie 16 weeks early at The Medical Center in Columbus, Georgia.

At birth, Maddie weighed a mere 1 pound, 5 ounces. Her brother Will weighed 1 pound, 8 ounces. Their prematurity meant both infants had severe health complications. They were immediately placed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The following days were nearly unbearable for Donna and Joe. They watched as their fragile twins struggled through every breath, barely holding on to life. After six days, Donna and Joe lost their son Will. Sadly, his many medical problems prevented Donna and Joe from holding him while he was alive.

Will’s loss was excruciating for the Lefcourts, but they knew their daughter needed them more than ever. Maddie fought every day for her life and finally went home 105 days after she was born. While Donna and Joe find great joy in every moment with their vibrant, healthy daughter, their son Will is never far from their thoughts. Above all, the Lefcourts hope Maddie’s World is an inspiration and that life can be beautiful even in the midst of devastating loss.