Why we’re swimming for TOFs 💜

We’re taking part as a family to swim to raise money for TOFs, a charity that has become very close to our hearts because of our daughter, Violet. The girls only started learning to swim in April of this year so it’ll be a challenge for them for sure!

Violet’s journey started before she was even born. During pregnancy, there were signs that she might have OA/TOF, but it was never confirmed, so we went into her birth not really knowing what to expect.

When Violet arrived, we found out she did have OA/TOF, along with tracheomalacia, and she needed surgery within hours of being born. She then needed another major operation at just three months old. Since then, she has also had to deal with a laryngeal cleft, swallowing difficulties and PEG feeding.

There have been so many hospital stays, appointments, procedures and moments where we’ve had to put our trust in doctors and hope that everything would be okay. We’ve watched our tiny girl go through things that no child should have to go through, and somehow she has taken it all in her stride.

What has always struck us most about Violet is how happy and determined she is. Despite everything, she is funny, cheeky, affectionate and completely full of life. Watching her learn to eat, drink, play and just be a normal little girl has made us appreciate the smallest things in a way we never did before.

Having a child with TOF has also introduced us to a whole community of families who understand the things that can be difficult to explain to people who haven’t lived it. TOFs is there for families like ours, providing support, information and a sense that you aren’t doing this on your own.

So we’re getting the family together and doing a swim to give something back. 🏊‍♀️💜

We’re incredibly proud of Violet and everything she has overcome, and we’d love to raise as much as we can for TOFs so that they can continue supporting other families at the beginning of their own TOF journey.

If you can donate, we’d be so grateful. Every single donation will help. 💜