Zion's Journey to Eating: A Story of Hope

Hello,

My name is Zion, and I am 2 years old. I arrived into this world 13 weeks early and have already faced more challenges than most people will in a lifetime.

I have undergone seven bowel surgeries and two surgeries to insert a central line, which allowed me to receive TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition). This special type of nutrition bypassed my stomach and went straight into my veins because parts of my bowel were removed, and my intestines couldn’t handle milk at the time.

Where We Are Today

Thanks to my strength and resilience, I’ve made amazing progress and no longer need TPN. However, I am still dependent on a feeding tube that goes directly into my stomach. This is my only source of nutrition because I have an oral aversion — a condition caused by sensory overload from multiple surgeries and the trauma of having a breathing tube down my throat.

Despite everything, I am a happy and energetic little boy, but eating remains a huge challenge. There is no longer a medical reason for me to have the feeding tube, and if I could learn how to eat, it could finally be removed!

Why We Need Your Help

We are raising money to send me to a feeding school in Austria that specializes in helping children like me learn how to eat. The NHS does not provide this type of intensive therapy, and previous speech and language therapy sessions have not been successful.

This feeding school offers me the best chance to learn how to eat and enjoy food like other children my age.

How You Can Help

My family and I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my story. Any donation, big or small, to the Tree of Hope will help me get the treatment I need to take this life-changing step.

Thank you for helping me on my journey.

With love and gratitude,

Zion and Family

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, then the funds will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objects. If in those circumstances we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives, then any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.