Houston preemie one of first to try imaging hat for awake babies with brain disorders

Written By Aisha Christa Atkinson

Excerpted from a May 27 2020 publication by The Houston Chronicle

Aisha Atkinson was purposeful when choosing the name for her child, Aries Reign Williams.

It had to be strong, resilient and persistent. It also needed to start with the letter “A,” to match his parents’ first names. His middle name, Reign, was chosen to symbolize regality and wisdom.

“Ironically, this kid just embodies it without us even really having to teach him,” said Atkinson, 31. “That name holds so much more meaning over his personality and the way his life will turn out.”

Aries is not a typical 2-year-old. His brain works differently since he was born 17 weeks early, at 23 weeks gestation, weighing only 1 pound, 11 ounces.

During birth, he suffered Grade III and IV-level brain bleeds, the most severe for a premature baby. Those led to a ventricle swelling in his brain and the development of the neurological disease hydrocephalus, and eventually, cerebral palsy in both legs and his left arm.

For more, visit The Houston Chronicle
Aisha Christa Atkinson

Aisha Christa Atkinson is an award-winning instructional leader, education scholar, and writer whose work centers on inclusive leadership, literacy development, and the design of supportive school communities. She serves as Assistant Principal at Stafford Early Childhood Center in Texas and was named Stafford MSD District Professional of the Year (2025) and the 71st Texas Mother of the Year by American Mothers, Inc. (2023). Her writing has appeared in Education Week, Edutopia, Texas Voices, Teacher2Teacher, and Advocate for Me Magazine, where she examines instructional leadership, differentiated instruction, and systems that cultivate belonging. Aisha holds advanced degrees in Educational Administration and English Education and writes at the intersection of practice, policy, and purpose.

https://www.aishacatkinson.com
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