A Cootamundra family is appealing for assistance to help cover major expenses, hospital bills and medication costs for their baby son Ashton who has suffered medical complications since before his birth.
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On May 23 the family of the baby, Ashton, were told an Arachnoid Cyst had been found on the brain of their unborn son.
Jaci Harriot and Christopher Hoey's world had suddenly been turned upside down and instead of preparing for the birth of a wonderful addition to their family they were told to make funeral arrangements.
Christoper is a Cootamundra man.
Ashton's grandparents are locals Lisa and Lindsay Hoey.
His aunt, Pippa Hoey, set up a facebook page last Monday, to raise money in order to help out the family.
To date the page has raised $1,390.
Direct donations to Ashton's mother Jaci Harriot can be made (details given on request) although an account Pippa Hoey made for the cause is also open to direct donations (details given on request).
On May 31, after seeking a second opinion from a neurosurgeon, Jaci and Christopher welcomed their son Ashton to the world, nearly one month earlier than expected.
He was delivered via c-section after originally being due on June 22.
A natural birth would have caused further complications due to the amount of swelling on tiny Asthon's brain.
That same night surgeons performed a life saving operation to remove the cyst from Ashton's brain.
Initially all went well and little Ashton was on his way to recovery, breathing on his own and suckling like a newborn should.
However several hours later complications set in with Ashton suffering a bleed on the brain, seizures and brain swelling that persisted for a number of days.
On June 12 when the seizures stopped and he was able to rest comfortably, Christopher and Jaci were able to take their new son home, much to his big brother Charley's (2) delight.
All was well until June 21 when Ashton's brain began to swell again.
He was re-admitted to hospital that day, back to the Intensive Care Unit.
Ashton is currently suffering meningitis, inflammation of brain and spinal cord membranes, typically caused by an infection.
Depending on the cause, meningitis may get better on its own or it can be life-threatening, requiring urgent antibiotic treatment.
One in five children who have had bacterial meningitis are left with permanent disabilities, such as cerebral palsy and deafness.
Ashton has not yet been able to live a normal life as most of it has been spent four hours from home in the ICU in the Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick.
As a result his parents have spent the majority of their wedding budget on travel, accommodation and food while also staying in Ronald MacDonald Houses and on mattresses in the hospital.
They were planning to marry on November 2 this year.
This has been such a trying time for this small family. They have endured so much heartache, stress and financial difficulties due to these unforeseen circumstances, it is only human nature to want to help.
Please donate, if only a little, as Ashton continues to fight for the best quality of life this predicament can offer.
You can donate via the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/donate/458824638253642/
