Urgent Ear Operation for Arizona

Our little boy, Arizona, is 4 and needs an urgent procedure to relieve intense pain and pressure in both ears, which the NHS can't provide for 12 months.

Because he is profoundly disabled, non-verbal and autistic, Arizona tells us he's in pain by harming himself and us. Over the last 12 weeks, he's scratched his face so badly it got infected. He slaps and hits himself in the ears and face, bruising his ears - and bangs his head constantly to the point of crying in pain. He bites himself and slaps us, pulls our skin and hair. And his ears are so badly impacted with wax and tissue that they sometimes bleed.

[Trigger warning: wounds/bleeding]

Arizona has been through eight rounds of strong antibiotics since June to help his ears. Despite this and his intense self-harming, we've been unable to convince the local hospital to see him on an emergency basis and we've been advised he won't be treated in A&E for this issue unless his ears turn septic.

[Trigger warning: bleeding]

The GP has advised that the only way we can get this done quickly is by going private, at a cost of approximately £2,500. Only one of us can work due to Arizona's complex care and medical needs, so we just have enough to pay our bills each month and that's it.

We cannot afford this operation but we also cannot afford not to treat Arizona ASAP. His Neuro-Disability consultant at Great Ormond Street Hospital is worried that his language development has slowed because of the impact on his hearing. Leaving his ears in this state could cause long-term internal damage and risk him not being able to attend school because of the pain. He's also continually hitting, slapping and scratching us both, which is a real struggle. Arizona trusts us to make things better and it breaks our hearts that we can't.

[Trigger warning: wounds]

The cost of living crisis means life is really hard for everyone right now. We didn't make the decision to reach out lightly but as Arizona's parents, we would do anything to ease his pain and know everyone will understand that. Arizona's health and long-term development are at risk, so we have to get this operation done urgently.

Anything you can do to help Arizona get this vital surgery would be so appreciated. From donating what you can to sharing our fundraising page with your friends, family and colleagues, it all helps.

Thank you so much,

Deborah, Adam & Arizona Gardner