Since introducing solid foods at 6 months old Koa, who is now 11 months, has struggled to swallow anything. The small amounts he does manage to get down are almost always vomited back up. Over the past five months, we’ve attended countless appointments and joined endless waitlists, trying desperately to get him the help he needs.

Koa is currently under the care of a Paediatrician, a Dietitian, a Feeding Specialist, and an Occupational Therapist. Despite the support of these professionals, his case has proven to be so complex and severe that they all agree he urgently needs to see an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat specialist). He is also waiting to receive an MRI of his brain — but this too comes with a 12-month wait through the public system.

Because Koa isn’t able to take in or retain proper nutrition, he’s not gaining weight like a baby his age should. This is now beginning to affect other areas of his development — he has now been diagnosed with a gross motor delay and low muscle tone, likely linked to his ongoing feeding difficulties.

Although Koa has been on the public ENT waitlist since he was 5 months old and marked as an urgent priority, we’ve been told he will likely be waiting at least another year before he’s seen.

Without intervention, Koa will soon require a Nasal Gastric Tube to ensure he receives the nutrients essential for his growth, development, and strength.

Because his needs are urgent and public waitlists are so extensive, we are now looking to access care through the private health system — which comes at a significant cost. We are reluctantly starting this to Go Fund Me to try to raise money to help cover some of these expenses, so we can get Koa the specialist care he urgently needs.

Any donation, no matter how small, would mean the world to our family. Thank you for taking the time to read, share, and support Koa’s journey.