Help Michael Angel live a better life.

Fundraising for private physiotherapy and adaptations to our house.

Hello my name is Gemma and I am trying to raise money for our baby, please read our story.

On Monday 12th April 2021, at 6 months pregnant I went into very early labour and our baby boy Michael Angel was born extremely premature at 27 weeks weighing 2.1lbs. After a traumatic labour Michael was taken away and put on a ventilator and put in an incubator, he was sent to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Michael was put on phototherapy as he was born severely jaundice. He continued with this as well as having scans and a blood transfusion. 17 days later we were told the devastating news our son has brain damage due to being extremely premature. He has been diagnosed with Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) a brain injury effecting both sides of his brain responsible for motor functions. This means Michael may not be able to roll, sit, crawl or walk. We were told at best Michael may walk with specialist equipment or worst case would be full paralysis. He is also at high risk of Cerebral palsy and epilepsy. There is no cure for PVL and treatment is based on his symptoms and the support he requires. Michael continued to fight for over 2 months, we spent every day fighting alongside him in hospital, going from NICU to High Dependency Unit to Special Care Baby Unit then back to Intensive Care after falling ill with parainfluenza then back to SCBU and then finally home at the end of June 2021. Also Michael was on oxygen for a long time after birth so he is more at risk of bronchiolitis, an illness which can be fatal. Michael then had to go back into hospital less than 2 weeks after being discharged after a scary episode of severe reflux (GERD). Our NICU journey was the hardest thing we've ever had to go through, seeing our vulnerable baby fighting for his life every minute of every day and sad to say his care wasn't of the quality it should have been. There was also a very serious incident during his time in hospital, a nurse cut his face with a pair of scissors while attempting to stick Michael's Optiflow sticker whilst it was still on his face. This was and still is deeply disturbing to me. Michael has been left with a scar on his face. The way we were treated and since then has made me lose all faith in our healthcare system. Michael is now 6 months old and since then has been getting stronger by the day. He is doing well with learning head control and enjoys short periods of tummy time. He is also practicing his smiles.

Michael is currently receiving very little help with what he needs from the professionals so he will need private physiotherapy to give him the best possible chance to develop and reach his full potential. Currently our house isn't suitable for Michael and will need some changes so we can make it safe for Michael and everything he needs now. After everything our little fighter has been through we really want the best for him and to be able to live his precious little life to the fullest.

We will be doing further fundraising for Michael when we manage to find the time in our crazy lives.

Thank you in advance for all of your help and support.

We are truly grateful.

The Ryan-Walker Family.

On a final more personal note I just wanted to say I myself have been a passionate professional in care for over 15 years, looking after children with special needs, adults with complex needs and giving end of life care to the elderly and I have never experienced anything as traumatic and heartbreaking as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The saddest place on earth in my opinion! And now to experience such sadness as a new mum really has been grueling. I already suffered with severe mental health issues before I had my baby boy after a lifetime of traumatic events and my beautiful baby boy has been through more than me in the 6 months he's been alive.

Please help us to help him!

Thank you for your time.