Parents Meredydd and Michelle gave birth to their son Connor nearly 3 years ago after being told, 20 weeks into the pregnancy, that their baby had less than 3% chance of survival.

 

Michelle went into labour at 38 weeks. The couple had no idea whether or not their son was alive until Connor’s head emerged and one of the midwives exclaimed ‘Oh my god it’s pink’ The couple had been told that if Connor survived the birth, they would probably have only a couple of minutes with him. However, Connor stunned his Doctors when he was still alive a week later. “We just couldn’t believe he was still with us”, remembers Michelle.

 

When Connor reached one week old, his Consultant, Judith van der Voort (Consultant Nephrologist at the Children’s Kidney Centre) told the couple they had a big decision to make. “She said you either let time take its course, and he will eventually die, or you can fight,” recounts Michelle. “Of course we had to fight for him.”

 

Connor suffers with a condition called “Prune Belly Syndrome”. “Because of his condition”, remembers Michelle, “they said he probably won’t be able to sit up, and then he sat up. They said he probably won’t be able to crawl, and then he crawled. They said he wouldn't be able to walk and then he walked!”

 

Nearly 3 years and 8 major operations since his birth, Connor continues to grow from strength to strength with the help and expertise of the medical profession. Connor continues to be treated at the Children’s Kidney Centre at the Heath Hospital. “The staff at the Heath have been amazing”, notes Meredydd. Connor has been on dialysis since he was 9 months old. It is hoped that he will receive a kidney transplant from his father later this year, before he starts nursery.