Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page

I want to share my daughters incredible story so far....

Last year my wife found out she was pregnant we were over the moon. At 35 weeks pregnant we were given some terrible news. Our perfect little girl appeared to have abnormalities! she was disgnosed as having Digeorge Syndrome along with that came a very rare and complex cardiac problem. My wife was induced 3 weeks later.

We welcolmed the most perfect looking baby into this world August 6th 2012. We along with the doctors were amazed at how well she coped and we took her home 12 days later.

Little did we know what was to come, at 12 weeks Ivy caught a cold! Yes a cold, but to a child with a condition like Ivy's it well and truely knocked her for six. Ivy was admitted to hospital 4th November and intubated, she remains in hospital to this day.

This is her story so far, and ours and the reason we are asking you to donate to this wonderful charity...

Ivy failed to come off ventilation after weeks of emotional highs and lows, she was diagnosed as having whats called Bronchomalisa, her 2 main bronchus were collapsing due to the size of her pulmonary arteries. She was very sick and in severe heart failure at this point. She was transfered to Glenfield on 27th December and had open heart surgery the following day!

The day of her op was the longest ever, she was in theatre a total of 9 hours. Ivy remained ventilated, sedated and with us for short periods only. A few weeks later she underwent more investigations. The damage her heart had caused to her airways meant that she needed a trachyostomy and long term ventilation.

So 2 surgeries later a repair to her diaphram and the trachy brings us up to date.

Ivy has continued to amaze the doctors with her strength and determination to survive. Her battle is far from over as she faces further heart surgery in the future and other complications from the Digeorge Syndrome.

Along this journey we have met other children that will bring a tear to your eye. The Charity keep the Beat, helps families like us, its a support in your time of need. They provide things the NHS cant. They help mend broken hearts, my family can not thank them enough for what they have done and are continuing to do for us.

When you have a child, you never know what to expect, everyone wishes for a healthy child. Would we change Ivy, honestly NO! we would change any pain she has and will indure, but she is an inspiration and we couldnt be more proud.

My family and I are asking you to give generously to this worthy charity to help them continue helping and supporting all those affected by congenital heart disease.