Help Amelia Care for Baby Wyatt's Recovery

I got the pleasure of meeting Amelia through her children Alonna and Kenton. This year Amelia was surprised and blessed with her pregnancy, resulting in a beautiful boy she named Wyatt, which means brave at war. Brave at war is what he has been his entire life.

Wyatt came into the world dramatically 7 weeks premature in June, weighing 2 lbs 15 oz due to a growth restriction protien called little-c. He’s evolved since in his own Wyatt way, spending only 3 weeks in the NICU. Unfortunately, his battle didn't stop there and has endured a few more hardship experiences already in his short Wyatt months.

Wyatt was born with Scaphocephaly, a form of craniosynostosis that caused two of his skull plates to be fused prematurely, something that believe it or not, isn’t supposed to happen until 25! This caused his head to be misshaped and look more like a football than a basketball. (Sorry I don’t know how else to explain it, and I like sports lol). Wyatt had a strip crainiectomy with sagital springs placed in his skull to open it correctly and allow his brain to develop correctly (this was not just for a nice round head). Upon discussion with the doctors Amelia was told that it’s a fairly simple procedure and the doctor only knew of one instance of where there was complications due to spring malfunction. Well, Murphy’s Law took over from there, and sweet baby Wyatt now owns the title of the second malfunction.

Upon completion of the first skull surgery Wyatt had a bump on the top of his head and swelling on one side of his head. Amelia called and messaged the doctor daily, they reassured her to watch it and keep them posted. With frequent daily communication, she informed them it was raising unevenly, significantly higher on his right side. About a week post op a straw-like formation developed going from the bump on top of his head to his upper ear. It turns out, this was his skull.

Upon this development, Children’s became concerned and advised she immediately bring him in for imaging and evaluation. One of the springs was essentially prying his skull apart, lifting it off the side of his head. 8 days after having his skull broken and springs placed, he was readmitted for a second surgery.

Prior to his ER visit and second skull surgery, small Wyatt has encumbered some hefty bills. Between the NICU and skull surgery #1 he’s been billed over 240k, resulting in over $20,000 billed to his adoring mother. This is on top of the additional costs of transportation, lodging, and food, and the home costs as she provides for all 3 of her children completely on her own.

The father of Amelia's children is not supporting any of them, owing her over 68k in child support, and she is responsible for every aspect of their lives, 365 days a year. So she also has had to balance tending to a hospitalized child and ensuring the other kids are provided for.

Having a suffering child is difficult enough, but as the sole provider of three children, both financially and physically, the additional expenses, especially this time of year, are devastating. Wyatt still has 2 more day trips to Children's and a third surgery in February to remove the two springs that didn't malfunction, so she, Wyatt, and his big brother and sister are only halfway through these trying times.

I’m asking the community, friends, and friends of friends to help a mom who just needs a break and some grace. A mom whom has really not had much help from anyone and yet has provided a quality life and home for a family of three children. A Mom that has been working two jobs to provide and has struggled to do either between Wyatts hospitalizations. A mom that never complains about doing it on her own, as much as it exhausts her. A Mom who deserves to care for her healing child instead of trying to work two jobs, and focus on him without fear of late payments, how she’s going to afford Christmas, and pay off $21,000 in medical bills.

Thank you for reading and your consideration, Please feel free share with your friends and family and have a blessed holiday season.

Update: Hi everyone, we'll be headed back to Milwaukee this week for the original post op check up- and I hope it's for nothing but positive results. He still has a ridge on the side of his head where his skull plates are overlapping, but there is night and day difference in his pain. We were unable to stay at Ronald Mcdonald house for his emergency surgery (they require 5 day notice) and I'd guess my portion owed to Children's will be about 60k by the time he has the final surgery to remove the two springs that didnt malfunction. I've heard medical bills no longer go on your credit report, but I also heard that we were done doing the daylight savings nonsense so......

This cause is important, my kids (all three) have overcome obstacles most adults couldnt dream of this year alone. Im not one to ask for help, and frankly, if it wasnt Christmas time i probably wouldnt. But I'll sacrifice my pride for children any day. Whether you can donate or simply share the fundraiser, every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated. Amelia