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We never expected to be here.
After being told that having more children was unlikely, finding out we were expecting again felt like a miracle. Our eldest son was conceived through IVF, so this pregnancy brought overwhelming joy, hope, and gratitude.
But our journey with our baby girl, Gabriella, has not been an easy one.
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When Everything Changed
At our 12-week appointment, we were told there was a high chance that our baby had Down syndrome.
It was difficult news—but only for a moment.
Very quickly, that fear turned into acceptance, and then into love.
We were ready to welcome our child exactly as she is.
A few weeks later, further testing confirmed it:
Gabriella has Down syndrome… and she’s a girl
But alongside that news came something much more serious.
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A Life-Threatening Complication
During a scan, doctors discovered severe fluid buildup around Gabriella’s body and organs—a condition called fetal hydrops.
We were told this was extremely serious.
We were referred urgently to a pediatric cardiologist, where we learned that Gabriella also has a complete AV canal heart defect, a condition that will require open-heart surgery after birth.
At that stage, we were living day by day, not knowing what would happen next.
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Our Little Fighter
Then something incredible happened.
At our next appointment…
the hydrops had completely resolved.
Against the odds, Gabriella fought through something that often doesn’t end well.
That moment changed everything for us.
It gave us hope.
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The Road Ahead
While this was a huge step forward, Gabriella’s heart condition is still complex.
There are concerns about how her heart is developing, and we are waiting for further scans to determine the exact treatment plan. What we do know is that she will need specialist care immediately after birth, including heart surgery.
We’ve been advised that we will need to be in a specialist hospital setting, outside of our region, to give her the best possible chance.
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Our Reality Right Now
This is where things become incredibly challenging.
We are a self-employed family:
• Willem is a personal trainer and stuntman
• I run a small print and crafting business
We need to relocate before Gabriella’s birth (likely around 30 weeks), our income will completely stop for several months.
At the same time, our expenses will increase significantly:
• Temporary accommodation near a specialist hospital
• Travel costs
• Medical costs not fully covered by insurance
• Daily living expenses for our family
We also have two young boys (5 and 7) who will be on this journey with us.
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Why We’re Asking for Help
This is not easy for us to do.
But right now, our focus is simple:
To give Gabriella the best possible chance at life.
We are doing everything we can on our side—organising fundraisers, adjusting our work, and preparing for what lies ahead.
But we can’t carry this alone.
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How You Can Support Us
If you’re able to contribute—no matter how small—it will go directly toward:
• Medical expenses
• Relocation and accommodation
• Supporting our family during this period without income
If you’re not in a position to donate, sharing this page would mean just as much to us.
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From Our Family to Yours
Gabriella has already shown us how strong she is.
She is our little fighter.
We are ready to fight for her every step of the way—
we just need a bit of help to get there.
Thank you for your kindness, your support, and for being part of her journey.
With love,
Willem, Fallyn, and family
Organizer
