Help the Wingfield Family Care for Daksh

On February 5th, Daksh Carlton Wingfield was born at Henrico Doctor’s Hospital and immediately placed in the NICU with respiratory distress. After two weeks and no diagnosis, he was transferred to VCU Medical Center, where he underwent rigorous testing. After nearly three weeks at VCU, he was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease, an incredibly rare and potentially fatal pulmonary condition. There was no indication of this congenital defect (or any other issue) at any point throughout Keya’s pregnancy. Since he was born, Daksh has been placed on constant ventilation, including intubation and at one point life support. Unfortunately, the only definitive cure is a lung transplant. At present time he is being treated with a multitude of medications including steroids, blood pressure medication, pain medicines and sedatives.

Since Daksh was born, we have been on a painful journey filled with horrible uncertainty and unspeakable images that no parent should ever witness. Even worse, there seems to be no end in sight anytime soon. Parenthood is supposed to be a roller coaster of emotions; not medical transport. It should be a time filled with wonderment; not wondering if your child will ever come home to be with his family. Parenthood is holding your baby in your arms; not counting the number of times you’ve done so on one hand. This has been nothing short of an absolute nightmare.

Though he is in the best of care at VCU, they have decided that due to the rarity of his condition, he’d be better off at Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia (CHOP), which is one of only three hospitals in the country that are equipped to deal with Interstitial Lung Disease in infants. At this time, his case is under evaluation, and plans are underway for him to be transferred as soon as his condition stabilizes.

In September I was laid off from my job due to COVID-19. In order to maintain coverage and not be forced to change providers midway through the pregnancy, I elected to keep my existing insurance at an out-of-pocket cost of approximately $2,500 per month. The money raised here will not only help to cover the cost of insurance for the next few months, but also be used for medical expenses not covered by insurance. In addition to medical costs, living expenses will also be covered, as well as the costs of traveling back and forth to Philadelphia while our son is evaluated for a possible lung transplant.

The decision to pursue crowdfunding has not been made lightly, and is not without the utmost humility. At this time, however, spending whatever time we can with our son far outweighs our pride. We hope you understand.