After two years and three rounds of IVF, Matt & Maxine were pregnant with a baby boy named Carlo. At his 20-week ultrasound, Carlo was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot.

Carlo was born via emergency C section on 16th December 2021 as he wasn't able to breathe during labour. When he was born, doctors noticed he was floppy, didn't cry and didn't have could not eat. Genetic testing confirmed he had Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Prader-Willi Syndrome is a rare genetic condition caused by an error on chromosome 15. The symptoms are lifelong and debilitating and include:

Excess hunger, food cravings

Weight gain/Obesity

Poor growth and physical development

Mild to moderate intellectual and learning disability

Speech problems

Behavioral problems along with anxiety and depression

Sleeping disorders

Carlo has also been diagnosed with Haemophilia A - a severe form of the disease where blood clotting factor is not produced and life threatening bleeds may occur.

Carlo’s heart repair was completed in August but there is likely to be another surgery in the coming months due to complications with the first surgery.

We would like to give Carlo the best opportunity to thrive despite the lifelong challenges he will face with multiple genetic conditions. Funds raised will go towards therapies, medical specialists, treatments and equipment not covered by the NDIS.