✨Help for Nova✨

On December 22, 2020, my nephew Dylan took his laboring wife, Chelsea to the hospital for the much anticipated birth of their third son, Nova. They were so ready! But nothing could have prepared the young family for the tragic news that their sweet little boy had a knot in his umbilical cord. It had caused unrepairable damage, and their little guy's prognosis wasn't very good. Nova had everyone fooled though, because months later he is living and melting any heart that will look in his direction.

Sadly, being discharged from the hospital has presented a new set of challenges that have forced Dylan and Chelsea to look at their home, car, and basically everything that once was normal, through the eyes of their tiny miracle baby.  They have taken on each obstacle with the same fight that Nova gives every second just to live, but they can't do any of it without a vehicle big enough to hold all of Nova's medical equipment (part of which keeps him breathing) so he can go to his many doctor's appointments. As you can imagine having two boys, a baby and all his necessary medical equipment can make going out together very difficult. They could really use a little help and I want to do all I can to contribute, so I've started this GoFundMe page to help them get a wheelchair accessible van. 

Nothing I have said above can capture the special spirit of Nova quite like his father's words below. Please take a second to read, share their story and help out if you can!

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If there is one thing you can say about Nova, it’s that he is a fighter. Born with his umbilical cord wrapped in a knot, Nova had to fight from the moment he was brought into this world. He developed two masses on his spine, taking away feeling, strength, and movement in the lower half of his body. He had no core strength, couldn’t empty his bladder, swallow his feed, and most devastating; breathe on his own.

 

But like I said; dude is a fighter. Despite the odds, doctors doubts, and all the things stacked against him, Nova got better and better.

 

After 3 procedures, countless X-Rays, numerous MRI’s, and 6 months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nova fought his way home for the first time. Home to his two brothers for the first time. Home to his Noni, and Poppa, and Granny, and Aunt, and Uncle, and so on and so forth. Nova had won that fight.

 

Sadly, Nova will never stop fighting. Luckily, he’s ok with that. Through it all Nova has always had a sense of joy. From the time he could start smiling, he hasn’t stopped, he is genuinely the happiest baby you’ll come in contact with.

 

Happy and growing. That was almost 5 months ago, our near 11 month old baby is now wearing 24 MONTH CLOTHES. But not only is he outgrowing his clothes. He’s outgrowing his little car seat. He’s outgrowing his old equipment. And with a growing baby, and hordes of new equipment. We as a family are outgrowing our vehicle.

 

As I said, Nova comes with a lot. His car seat, his ventilator, his oxygen tank, his backup oxygen tank, his pulse-oxometer, his suction machine, his food pump, his emergency bag, his diaper bag, his stroller, etc. And that’s just now; he has been fitted for a new car seat, stroller, and therapy chair. Sadly, we don’t have the storage for his abundance of necessities. So despite our independent nature, this is us asking for your assistance…

 

Any help to support this young family would be greatly appreciated!