
Declan’s Journey
Donation protected
Declan is a 16year old young man who was born with Apert syndrome, a condition affecting the hands feet and skull. Declan started having surgery at 2 weeks old and had his first major skull surgery at 11 months old. Over the years he has had many surgeries on his skull, hands and face. The time has come for Declan to prepare for the biggest surgery to date. Declan has a fantastic medical team based at the Australian Craionialfacial Unit in Adelaide where the family travels yearly for appointments and surgeries. Declan is now 16 and needs a mid face advancement which requires many trips to Adelaide from Queensland over a period of 12-18months. The next stage of Declan’s journey starts next week with meetings and appointments with specialists in Brisbane so they can assist with Declan’s care enabling Declan to spend some of his recovery at home. The surgery will be 15 hours and Declan’s mid face (from eyebrows to top jaw) will be surgical moved forward and a halo frame plates and screws fitted to his face throughout the healing process. Declan will initially be having braces and a frame on his top jaw to prepare for the mid face advancement.
Despite having health insurance for many years, there are out of pocket expenses which are not covered. Private health have deemed Declan’s condition pre existing and refuse to assist in covering his medical needs. Declan will be required to be in hospital for many weeks meaning accommodation is required and time off taken to be there to support Declan through his surgery. Funds will go towards medical and travel needs. The family will be required to attend Adelaide in the near future for the first surgery then every 1-2 months for the next 12 month period.
Organizer
Kiara Searby
Organizer
Beerburrum, QLD