September is Craniosynostosis Awareness Month. Craniosynostosis is a  rare condition that causes the sutures in the skull to fuse prematurely. The condition occurs in one in 2000 births.

"Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in which the bones in a baby's skull join together too early. This happens before the baby's brain is fully formed. As the baby's brain grows, the skull can become more misshapen. The spaces between a typical baby's skull bones are filled with flexible material and called sutures."

There is no cure for the condition and it's not exactly clear what causes it however with corrective surgery the condition can be treated. If not treated it can lead to increased pressure on the brain which can result in visual impairment, sleeping impairment, eating difficulties, or an impairment of mental development combined with a significant reduction in IQ.

For those who aren't aware our son, Riley, was born with this condition. He has since undergone two surgical procedures to rectify this, all before the age of two. Although its been tough on us as parents, we are eternally grateful to the NHS and Great Ormond Street Hospital for all they have done. We worked out that the cost of the procedures came to the equivalent of buying a decent three bedroom house in South Africa, where we are originally from and health care is privatised and expensive. Thanks to the NHS we've only ever had to be concerned about the wellbeing of our son.

As this is something we have had a lot of experience with, it is very close to our hearts and would like to raise whatever we can as every little bit helps for GOSH and the NHS to care for others, not only with Craniosynostosis but other conditions. We will never be able to truly express our gratitude to GOSH (and the Cranio Facial team specifically) for giving our son a chance at a normal life.

For more information:

• https://www.gosh.nhs.uk
  
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craniosynostosis
  
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/craniosynostosis/