Medical bills for baby Blake Thomas Heslop

My name is Oumie and I am fundraising for my grandson Blake and his dad and mom (Trevor and Karlie) as they are starting to feel overwhelmed by the medical bills already accruing for their little son born with Gastroschisis (this means his intestines and part of his stomach developed outside of his body during gestation). Very early in the pregnancy he was diagnosed with Gastroschisis and shortly thereafter with Muscular Dystrophy. There were many, many tests done regularly. The week before Blake was born Karlie was hospitalized due to stress on the baby. Blake was born by emergency C-section at 36 weeks, weighing in just over 4 pounds, and had surgery within hours to start the process of reintroducing his intestines into his belly. This process took a week. Babies with Gastroschisis are kept in the NICU for 5-6 weeks so the medical team can be sure all is working well before discharging them.

Karlie is a night oncology/hospice nurse at a local hospital. Trevor is a full-time student who is looking to graduate in December 2024. Blake has an older sister Leah (16 months older) and Trevor and Karlie juggle the babysitting. Karlie is the main bread winner and Trevor is able to work 4-7 hours a week at his former place of employment to assist a little with finances. Karlie is entitled to 60% of her regular pay for 6 weeks as her maternity leave pay. This ends right when Blake is slated to be discharged and Trevor and Karlie feel it is extremely important for Karlie to be home full time with Blake for the first few weeks after being discharged and sent home. This would be time with no pay at all. Add to this that Karlie was denied help with her school loans and they are requiring payment beginning again in February.

People have asked how they can help this little family, and this is a wonderfully important way to show your support and help. Of course, we always solicit prayers and appreciate those immensely. Thank you for your love and care of this family.