How hope giving support inspired his family to leave a legacy
A rocky start to life
Jonathan had a rocky start to life, after being diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) within three days of being born. HLHS is a congenital heart condition where the left side of the heart is critically underdeveloped and unable to help in the process of pumping blood around the body.
By his fourth birthday, Jonathan had already faced more challenges than most. He’s undergone two open-heart surgeries – the first of which was performed when he was only seven days old – and one additional debridement surgery to clean a wound of an infection.
Ongoing treatment and hospital visits
Jonathan’s life is vastly different than first imagined, but the Children’s Hospital Foundation has been there for his family through the ups and downs. Music therapy sessions have made hospital a less daunting place and visits from Cuddle Carers have comforted Jonathan through the toughest of times. Now that Jonathan is getting older, the televisions make echocardiograms during appointments easier, and he always looks forward to visiting Kidzone.
For kids with heart conditions like Jonathan, going home is not the end of the story, often it’s just the start of a long and difficult journey of ongoing treatment and hospital visits. Jonathan will require cardiology appointments every few months to monitor his progress and another surgery, potentially before his fifth birthday.
His family’s legacy
Because of the Children Hospital Foundation’s support, his parents, Jess and Glenn, decided to leave a gift in their Will to the Foundation.
We chose to leave a gift in our Will to the Children’s Hospital Foundation for many reasons. It is one small way to help one last time when we eventually (hopefully many, many years in the future) pass away. While most of our possessions will pass to our children, we know we will leave a legacy in providing help for sick kids.”
– Jess
Jonathan’s family want to ensure others whose worlds are turned upside down by sudden injury or illness can be supported now and into the future. Jonathan will need at least one more open-heart surgery in his life and his family are comforted in knowing the Children’s Hospital Foundation will be there to support them when this operation happens.
The difference that shapes their world
Through supporting the Children’s Hospital Foundation, you can improve childhoods and ensure all children and young people have access to treatment - sooner.
