Olivia Gentile

Hello everyone,

We would like to introduce to you our beautiful, miracle baby, Olivia. Olivia and her twin brother Noah were born at 26/6 weeks and spent the first months of their lives in incubation in a hospital. Olivia spent 121 days in the hospital. Every day was a battle and she fought to stay with us. She’s our little fighter.  

Following this period where she was hospitalized the doctors announced to us something life changing. A scan had uncovered that Olivia had brain damage and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The Doctors announced that the right side of her body is worse and said she would never walk, talk or be a normal baby. 

Coming home from the hospital was a challenge. Olivia required in-home oxygen knowing her lung were damaged due to premature and for being incubated for a long time. She was diagnosed as well with bronco-pulmonary Dysplasia and Laryngomalacia. Despite everything she always has a smile on her face and was and still is a happy baby.

As days went by we noticed that her neck was stiff and was always looking to her left thinking she had a stiff neck.  After bringing Olivia to a private physiotherapist and osteopath to help her with her stiff neck, nothing was working. We decided to take an appointment with the  eye doctor who confirmed that Olivia  is not able to see from her right eye and can only see a shadow.  

My husband and I refuse to accept this diagnosis.

Olivia is being treated at a rehabilitation center for physio and occupational therapy once a week. However more can be done and we believe this is not enough. Olivia requires constant assistance and care. She is currently and will continue to require physiotherapy, massage therapy, and occupational therapy more than once a week. She requires daily physical stimulation. She is still too young but she will require orthosis and special equipment that would assist in keeping her hand(s) opened and a special chair that keeps her in an upright position. However current health care coverage (provincial) is only covered at the age of 2 yrs old and up. We are hopping that Olivia will not require them.

After researching, inquiring and speaking with other parents in our similar situation we came to learn more about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Unfortunately the equipment required is not covered by the provincial or federal systems but we decided to take it upon ourselves to do whatever it takes to at least try. It's been 2 months and the progress is so positive we don't want to stop now but reality set in and the cost of the therapy has caught up with us. Olivia has started to turn and started to open her right hand. Before the therapy she was not able to turn or open her hand at all.

Even with all all these positives, Olivia is still unable to sit on her own and keep her head up straight for a long period. This requires us to purchase much of all this special equipment.

The equipment is expensive and with all the private therapy that she requires we simply cannot afford it. Please help us with our little baby girl so she can have a normal life.

Thank you all for your support!

Be sure to check back regularly as I will post updates, new pics and vids of our little miracle.