The 8th April 2010 was going to be the most exciting day of my life, I had dreamed of this day as my baby belly grew, but due to serious birth complications my baby boy was not expected to survive. Kaide was born dead & he didn’t take his first breath till 16 minutes after he was born. My dreams were gone and my nightmare began. Kaide spent his first month of life in the NICU & every minute he had
to fight so hard to live. During this time my parents & I lived at the Ronald McDonald House so we could be close by to Kaide’s bedside. Kaide had his body temperature cooled for the first 72 hours to help prevent any further brain damage. My baby was so cold to touch it was more than heartbreaking to see my baby like this. Whilst in the NICU Kaide suffered from multi organ failure ( Kidneys, Liver, Heart & Lungs) due to the lack of oxygen. He was ventilated then went onto CPAP. Kaide also had Seizures, Edema, Lung Collapse, Pneumonia, Infections and the list goes on. We were informed that Kaide could pass away at anytime but if he did live his life would be very complicated and he would be so severely disabled he would require 24 hour nursing. He has defied all the odds, never giving in to any hurdle life throws at him. I finally got to take my baby boy home from hospital after the biggest decision making, heartbreaking & scary four weeks of my life. The 7th May 2010 was bitter sweet. I had followed my heart and did all I could to help my baby son get to come home but still I did not know what to expect with Kaide’s future. At age 3 Kaide has:
Cerebral Palsy - grade 3 ( Spastic Diplegia )
Sensorineural Hearing Impairment
Developmental Delay
Delayed Speech
Sensory Processing Disorder
Anxiety
Kaide had Eye Surgery performed at Westmead Children’s Hospital in October 2011 to correct his Bilateral Strabismus (turned / crossed eyes). He was fitted with a Cochlear Implant in May 2013 at Westmead Children’s Hospital to help improve his hearing. With intense speech therapy this should hopefully help with his delayed speech. Kaide can say about 50 words but uses about 15 words regularly. The best word he can say and melts my heart each time he says it is the word MUM. Kaide has lots of regular therapy to help him live with Cerebral Palsy,
He can't walk without his walking frame & is unable to walk too far as his body gets very tired, so he requires a wheel chair to help him get around. Due to the high tone (spasticity) in the muscles in his legs he also now requires a brace that supports his Hips, Knees, Ankles & Feet. Kaide has a long list of regular appointments between Newcastle, Central Coast & Sydney. During the past 3 years he has had to endure so many medical test, treatments & therapies and miss out on being a little boy so many times just so he can go to these appointments. Our life is very busy and very often difficult as Kaide has a number of problems but not a day goes by I don’t think how LUCKY I am to have my beautiful miracle who struggled to survive
If you think I have my hands full, you are right! But you should see how full Kaide makes my heart !
