On the 23rd of February 2010 Anthony and I visited the hospital for our baby's 20 week anatomy scan. We waited, excited to see our baby for the second time. When it came to his head, it seemed to be taking a long time. Then, the words I will never forget.....'There seems to be an abnormality with your baby's brain'. It was then that our lives fell apart. Our much loved, desperately wanted baby was ill. How could this be? He was so active; there had been no signs of anything being wrong. What had we done wrong?
We were quickly referred the following day to a specialist foetal unit at a different hospital. It was at this stage we were told of the severity of the problem. Angleo had serious problems with his brain formation along with hydrocephalus. This information, along with further MRI results presented us with a decision no parent wants to make.
The idea of ending my baby boy's life was too hard to bear, how could I do that to someone I loved so much? The only thing that both Anthony and I were sure of was that we could not have him suffer and if he came in to this world that was a certainty.
I actually found the charity ARC (Antenatal Results and Choices) by chance on the internet and I am so pleased I did. They offer balanced, caring and informative support to parents in similar situations to us. They are focussed on raising awareness and providing training to midwives and those within the health care profession who have to deal with this difficult subject. I was given the numbers for other parents who had been through similar experiences and speaking to them has been of enormous comfort.
On the 24th of July 2010, we will be walking the 25 miles in one day in memory of our little boy, Angelo Henry who was born asleep on the 12th march 2010. The Yorkshire Three Peaks Walk is a very demanding but rewarding walk which takes in the summits of (694 metres - 2,276 feet), Whernside (736 metres - 2,415 feet) and Ingleborough (723 metres 2,372 feet) all to be completed within 12 hours
(I know it's not quite the London Marathon but we didn't have time to train for this...and it is all for a very good cause). I really want something good to come of this sad situation. If this walk in memory of Angelo can help raise awareness of ARC's excellent work and potentially ease the suffering of other expectant Mums and Dads, it will certainly be a positive thing.
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