Help Baby Noah

Help Baby Noah Recover After Life-Saving Brain Surgery.

Hello, we are the Sedlak-Smith family — a close-knit, creative household made up of Sephora (Mummy), Ryan ( Daddy) ,Elijah (5), Avery (4), and baby Noah (now 1). We live in Exeter, Devon, and we’ve always prided ourselves on our love, art, and the little bubble we built together. But on February 8th, our world was shattered.

 At just 10 months old, our sweet baby Noah was diagnosed with a brain tumour the size of a mandarin. It was news no parent should ever hear. Just three days later, on February 11th, Noah endured a terrifying 14-hour operation at Bristol Children’s Hospital involving a team of 20 neurospecialists.

By some miracle, the tumour was benign and not embedded in his brain — but this was only the beginning of our nightmare. For the first eight weeks, we did everything we could to keep life normal for our older children — we got a wonderful help of Sephora’s mom from Czech Republic, staying all the time with them, helping getting them to school and nursery, while also travelling being in the hospital to be with Sephora and Noah. But with the emotional and physical toll, we have been unable to work like normal and we have been forced to sell our beloved tattoo studio — our main source of income.

Since then, Noah has undergone eight major surgeries. Following the removal of the tumour, he developed hydrocephalus — a serious condition that causes excess fluid in the brain. He’s had shunts placed to drain this fluid, with tubes running from his head to his abdomen. Each surgery has brought new complications, delays, and heartbreaking setbacks.

Three weeks ago, after a particularly high-risk procedure — a reverse shunt fitted to the inside of his skull — Noah suffered a severe reaction. He lost his sight, his hearing, and began having seizures. It was devastating.

Noah’s most recent operation was an emergency reversal of that procedure. He is now, once again, at day one of recovery. He still can’t see — his eyes have developed what’s known as "sunset eyes," a symptom of increased pressure in the brain. He still can’t hear. He’s on medication for seizures, and we don’t yet know what the long-term impact will be.

Right now, Sephora, her mom Jana, Elijah, Avery, and Noah are living in hospital accommodation in Bristol for what doctors estimate will be at least the next 8 months. Meanwhile, Ryan is alone back in Exeter, trying to maintain our home, keep up with bills, and travel regularly to be with them — all while navigating this unbearable stress and financial strain.

We are emotionally, mentally, and financially exhausted. Our family has been torn apart, and the recovery journey ahead is long. Noah’s care plan stretches all the way through to February 2030. We’re asking — humbly and from the bottom of our hearts — for your help.

If you can donate even £1, it will go towards:

- Medication and medical equipment for the coming years for Baby Noah. 

- Travel expenses between Exeter and Bristol. 

- Living costs & childcare for Sephora and the children, during their long hospital stay.

- Helping us survive as a family through this overwhelming time.

Our beautiful baby boy is a fighter, and we are doing everything we can to give him the best chance possible. But we can’t do this alone. Every bit of support helps lighten the load and reminds us we’re not facing this storm by ourselves.

From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for reading, thank you for caring, and thank you for helping our family heal. Please donate and share. Help us help Baby Noah.