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As of January 15th, Hayden has had his much needed tracheostomy. His next 3 months will be spent in ICU recovering.
Meet Hayden
We are writing this on behalf of our dear friends, the Del Mastro family, as they continue to navigate an incredibly challenging journey with their 9 month-old, Hayden.
Hayden was born on April 10th 2025 with a rare genetic disorder called Apert Syndrome. The conditions that come with Apert Syndrome cause him to have very specific and unique medical needs.
Since birth, Hayden has endured a relentless series of hospital stays and medical hurdles. The syndrome impacts the early fusions of many bones, including the skull, nose and hands. Hayden has spent much of his young life needing intubation with a breathing tube and relying on nutrition support, including the placement of a G-tube for feeding. Each time a hurdle was cleared, a new one appeared.
Recently, new challenges have emerged making it clear Hayden’s care plan needed to pivot. While there is growing concern regarding his head shape and the need for an accelerated second skull surgery, his breathing remains the most critical priority. Because of the unique facial and head structure associated with Apert Syndrome, traditional interventions were unsuccessful. Hayden’s body is forced to work dangerously hard just to breathe. He currently suffers drops in his oxygen levels at night, making sleep without breathing support extremely unsafe.
To allow his body to rest, grow, and gain the strength needed for his future surgeries, Hayden’s medical team determined a tracheostomy was deemed the best and safest path forward. While this step is what Hayden needs to thrive, it comes with the reality of at least three more months of intensive hospital stay and specialized training for his family. He will depend on specialized professional support and care for his airway when he goes home.
Despite everything he has endured, Hayden is a beacon of pure joy. He has a vibrant personality and smile that fills the room the moment his loved ones walk in. To see Hayden is to see a baby who refuses to let his circumstances dim his light. He has found his voice and loves to say “Da-da”, and you can often find him kicking his feet with excitement or holding his favourite toys high in the air. He has a unique way of making everyone around him smile.
The Strength of the Del Mastro Family
Behind every brave baby are parents who have moved mountains. Over the last nine months, Hayden’s parents and all of his family have been by his side day in and day out. They are working to balance the needs of their two young sons while navigating a world no parent is ever prepared for.
They have undergone intensive training and educated themselves on the complexities of Apert Syndrome to provide the specialized care needed to sustain Hayden’s life. Their fierce advocacy has been the driving force behind Hayden’s progress, all while keeping their family unit strong and filled with love.
The Road Ahead
Hayden’s diagnosis means he will face a series of complex, life-changing surgeries over the coming years. He will require extensive, specialized care and many more stays at both McMaster and SickKids to access the technology and experts required. These include:
- Hayden must wear a specialized medical helmet 23 hours a day for 12 months, but his current breathing difficulties have prevented him from doing so.
- Another major skull reconstruction at 18 months old.
- The expectation that he will need the tracheostomy until he is five years old, along with the specialized care that comes with it.
- A series of four separate hand surgeries to separate his fingers.
- Extensive facial reconstruction at age five.
How Your Support Helps
Our goal is to alleviate the financial burden on Hayden’s parents so they can focus 100% on his health and advocacy. The transition from hospital to home with a tracheostomy is an immense undertaking alone. A child with a trach requires 24/7 monitoring by a trained individual. Your contributions will go directly to the Del Mastro family for financial stability during training and recovery, home support, specialized medical equipment and travel. Nathan will need to take time off work to learn how to manage Hayden’s life-sustaining equipment. Your support allows both parents to be present without the burden of lost income.
Thank You
Whether you can donate, share this page, or simply keep Hayden in your prayers, your support means the world. Thank you for helping this incredible family focus on what matters most: Hayden’s health and the joy he brings to the world.
Hayden is a tiny warrior, and with a community behind him, we know he can overcome these hurdles.
Thank you for your kindness and support,
Carly & Maddy
Hayden’s journey is being documented on TikTok under apert.diaries if you would like to follow along.