Niall's Feeding Program Fund

Niall Joshua McLaughlin was born with Esophagael Atresia. Seven percent of these babies are born with a rare form where part of the espohagus is missing.  At one day old, Niall under went surgery to have a g-tube placed to be able to give him the nutrients needed to live as he was unable to eat by mouth. At six months old, Niall under went a very extensive surgery to connect the two ends of his esophagus. In doing this, a common complication occured where he developed a stricture (which is scar tissue at the connection site). This still delayed Niall's ability to eat by mouth. After many dilations of his stricture site, this has finally improved to where his surgeon feels his esophagus is near normal.  He is now wanting to refer him to an intensive feeding program in Virginia to give Niall the opportunity to live a normal life, tube free.

This has been an ongoing battle for him and his family and this opportunity to get him into this program is a light at the end of the tunnel. The success rate of this program is very high. He has already undergone physical, speech and occupational therapy with little success.  His doctors feel this is now necessary for him to be able to learn how to eat at an age appropriate level. 

Niall will be two years old this May. He has a twin sister, Soleil Christine, and an older sister, Savina Marie. He loves to run around and have fun with his sisters. Niall especially loves to swing and be outdoors. He always greets you with a smile that melts your heart. Niall is an inspiration to me and everyone that comes in contact with him, whether it be in person or stories and pictures of him online. Whenever a challenge comes up in my life, I think of Niall and his strength and it helps me get through it. If a child under two years old, who has gone through more medical issues than I have had in my 32 years, can smile as much as he does, I can get through any challenge I come across.