Help Babies With Heart Defects
Donation protected
In April 2023 my son was born with a serious heart defect called transposition of the great arteries, this defect is not compatible with life, meaning that just at 3 days old he required open heart surgery to survive. Having my baby taken from me as he was born and put into NICU went against every maternal instinct and was a traumatic time for myself and my family. I will never forget the day I had to say goodbye to my new baby as he was sedated for a 6 hour surgery on bypass, his heart only being the size of a strawberry.
Sadly only 4 weeks after my sons release from hospital, he was taken seriously ill with RSV. He was rushed back to Evelina where he was put back on life support as his lungs began to collapse and he could not breathe on his own. We endured another 2 weeks of unimaginable stress and worry before he was allowed back home.
Both these charities mean a lot to us and provided care throughout the diagnosis, treatment and recovery of my sons heart condition and his fight with RSV.
Tiny Tickers provided us with vital support from diagnosis, they answered the many many questions we had and was always there for guidance. Just one of the things Tiny Tickers provide, is specialist training to sonographers doing 20-week pregnancy scans – without this my sons heart condition may have been undetected and a very different outcome.
Ronald Mcdonald Charities provided us with last minute accommodation, meaning I could be close to my baby and have a warm environment to mentally and physically rest after long days in intensive care. The days where we were felt like we were in a nightmare, the house was there to provide support, and food and warmth. It is a surreal environment to be in, but being surrounded by other families also going through similar situations provides a strange comfort. The first time we arrived at the house we cried with relief of being able to stay so close to the hospital.
These charities provided more than they realised throughout the worst period of my life, and I will always be so thankful for them and everything they have done and still do.
Please have a look at their websites and read the many great things these charities to.
Organizer
Alex Kohler
Organizer
England