Don't worry, we hadn't heard of it either.  Despite my mother's long nursing career, and my two years of medical training, neither of us had ever come across TOF/OA, so when my sister told us that their gorgeous baby girl, Rafaela had the condition and needed an operation on her first day of life in order to feed and breathe properly, we were all knocked for six.  

Thankfully, baby Raf received incredible care at the Monash NICU in Melbourne Australia and is now a thriving 4 month old baby at home where she belongs with her mum and dad!  

Raising awareness of conditions like this is so important because other than the devastation of hearing that your newborn baby requires major surgery for a condition you've never even heard of, there is nothing more isolating for new parents than to feel alone.  Just Giving is one way we can help parents and newborns with TOF/OA get the support they need.  The more awareness we raise, the less isolated these new parents will feel.  I can't be there in Melbourne to help my wonderful sister and brother-in-law and Rafaela, but I can do this, to show them how much we all care, and to reassure them that they are not alone.

If you're wondering where the grit factor is, Polly is one of my sister's best friends (read: 11 years my junior) and, much like my sister, is in peak physical condition.  This pains me on so many levels.  Just keeping up with her is going to be back breaking...so please take pity on an old girl and dig deep, as I will have to.

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit our page.  

Ruthie xxx