Hi, I’m Jess — mum to my beautiful 4 year old, Ivy.

This is hard for me to write, but I’ve run out of options and time, and I need your help.

Firstly Ivy is ok, and not in immediate danger.

A few months ago, Ivy’s teacher raised concerns about her health. It confirmed what my gut had been telling me for quite a while, something wasn’t right. Ivy is constantly exhausted and pale, sleeps at any chance she gets, has mottled skin, blue hands when lying down, drinks excessive water, and needs to go to the toilet often.

After being brushed off by several doctors, I finally found a GP who listened. We were referred to a paediatrician and ENT specialist, and after a lot of tests due to hear being born with an extra digit and being over careful that it wasn't an organ issue, we now have answers:

Ivy has severe sleep apnea caused by extremely enlarged tonsils. She needs surgery urgently.

The public system can’t get her in for over a year because she’s “not dying.” But waiting that long could impact her growth, health, and her first year at school. The private system can do the surgery in two weeks and have urged us to consider it as quickly as possible — but our private health insurer is refusing to cover it, claiming it’s a “pre-existing condition,” even though she’s only just been diagnosed.

I’ve already spent thousands getting to this point between specialists, doctors and tests and, with a mortgage, car and everyday expenses , I simply don’t have the remaining funds needed to cover the surgeon, anaesthetist, and hospital stay in such a short time let alone extra time off work etc.

I just want my happy, energetic Ivy back. I want her to not feel like this.

If you can help in any way — financially, by sharing this or crossing your fingers I can pull a miracle from my butt, — it would mean the world to us. Every little bit truly helps.

Thank you for reading and for caring about my little girl.

Jess ❤️