Help Baby Bertie and family

This story and family have really really touched my heart, so deeply and I just needed to do something to try and help out this beautiful little family. So I’ll try and explain as best I can from a friend point of view. 

Albert, or Bertie, or even Birdy as his big sister Darcie calls him, was born on 4th   July 2020. One of the most precious things in the world to Tonicha and David.  

On the 21st July, so when Bertie was only 2 and a bit weeks old; he choked on his bottle. After listening to the GP (who reviwed Bertie and said he was fine), Bertie had inhaled his milk and he had no oxygen circulation to his brain. After being sent from the GP, as they say a mother’s instinct is always right and Tonicha knew Bertie was unwell. An ambulance was called and after just 8 minutes of Bertie arriving into A&E, the poor little soldier went into cardiac arrest. He then went into cardiac arrest another two times.

Tonicha and David, Berties parents, weretold to prepare for the worst and had to say their goodbyes. Bertie had died for 14 minutes; a lifetime to any family. As they were saying their goodbyes, which no parents, especially newborn ones should never have to do,berties mummy was talking to him, having what they thought were the last cuddles. Bertie’s levels started to rise to his mummy’s voice. Bertie came back around, that’s a miracle in itself. 

Bertie now lives with and will grow up with brain damage due to being in cardiac arrest. This also caused Bertie to have cerebral palsy. Tonicha explains that this could mean he may never walk, he may struggle with talking, and he may struggle with any other physical or motor skills during his life. 

Due to the amount of adrenaline that was pumped through little Berties body, and the fact that it had leaked through his body from not being in a central line,  this resulted in severe burns to his skin. Which he will require surgery for skin grafts throughout his life until he is an adult. This is due to the depth of the chemical burn Bertie has, it went as far as the nerves in his body. Bertie was thought to needing hisleg amputated due to this, but luckily thisisn’t the case, although he will still need several skin grafts. 

After being told that Bertie would never smile, he has already proved them doctors wrong and smiles everyday for his mummy and daddy. I believe Bertie is a little soldier and his family around him have kept so so strong at the worst of times. 

So now I’ve tried to explain a little bit about Bertie and his family, this is where I need your help. Because Bertie requires weekly visits and check ups at the QMC hospital, this obviously comes with a travel cost. I want to try and raise some money for Bertie and his family to help with those travel costs, help put towards the equipment and extra sensory resources he may need, and also to enjoy family days out  with his big sister too and make memories while life is so precious. 

Tonicha, David, Darcie and Bertie- your all so strong and this is the least I could do!