It's from a Dad's point of view.
For people who don't know Dexter's story, here's a brief summary:
- Dexter was in three different NICUs for 122 days. He was born at 31 weeks but wasn't 'steroid ready' and had trouble breathing in his first moments. We nearly lost him early on.
- He was held by his mum at 8 days old and his dad first held him at 22 days.
- The brain damage was explained when Dexter was 30 days old, in a cold white room, by staff who thought Dexter's parents already knew it had happened.
- His mum sat beside him for 120 days out of 122.
- He came home breathing air and drinking breast milk; proving many people wrong.
- By one year old, he had a cortical vision impairment diagnosis and a cerebral palsy diagnosis. His cerebral palsy is severe and affects his whole body. Dexter is also speechless.
- At 13 months, his paediatrician detected his enlarged liver, which was later diagnosed as hepatoblastoma (liver cancer). Dexter had several surgeries (including a lung biopsy - where a rib was broken and a section of his liver was surgically removed. Dexter had six rounds of chemotherapy and is now cancer clear and in remission.
- Dexter got his first wheelchair when he was in preschool.
- Dexter has had surgery on a hernia and a descended testicle.
- He has had three surgeries on his legs, including a femoral osteotomy and a double femoral osteotomy.
- He as been emergency helicoptered to Sydney, but avoided surgery on that occasion.
- Dexter has epilepsy.
- He is totally reliant on everyone, for everything.
- Dexter is cheeky, clever, determined, strong and resilient. He makes us better people and constantly reminds us of what is important.
Cerebral palsy changed our lives. It continues to change us.
It impacts on everything we do.
Help us raise awareness by telling people about cerebral palsy. If you know a dad who has a child with special needs, check in on them. They might not say much, but they will appreciate knowing you're there.
Over on instagram, we're sharing daily challenges. Come over and play along.
#cerebralpalsy
I Didn’t Tell Dad I Love Him
Mum, Dad & Ten Years
Here's to Mum 2018
Actually, We're Not Ok 20/11/18
Mum was Crying in the Ball Pit
When Your Heart Aches with Sadness
Dexter's First MonthDexter's Vision
Dexter's Cerebral Palsy
Dexter's Cancer
Who is Dexter?
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