Hi

Thank you for taking the time to read about our plight and fight for Finn.

Whilst in the womb, our gorgeous son, Finley developed a rare chromosome disorder - a duplication of chromosome 14, which has resulted in him being diagnosed with a number of significant abnormalities, including but not limited to the following: Craniosynostosis (early skull fusion), two holes in his heart; severe hearing loss; club feet and hands and an inability to gain weight. Today, despite being almost 5 months old Finley only weighs 3.1kg. During a routine scan at 26 weeks we learned that Finley had physical deformities to his hands and feet but medical staff were unable to determine the cause or predict the extent of his abnormalities until his birth. Just a few days after he was born, we learnt that Finley would not only face profound developmental challenges and delays, but also experience further issues related to his particular disorder. Unfortunately, as every chromosome disorder is unique to the individual, no one can predict exactly what the future holds for Finley.

Each day presents numerous logistical difficulties in caring for our son, which we are desperate to get right so that Finley receives the best possible care and love he so deserves. In addition, his needs necessitate constant medical intervention – scans, procedures and operations that culminate in staggering medical bills. We live and work in Thailand where healthcare is not free. Currently, Finley needs to have a gastric tube fitted urgently as his ability to feed and supress vomiting is negligible. It is vital that he gains weight so that he can withstand the first of many operations on his skull to relieve the pressure forming on his brain.

Whilst my teaching position provides good healthcare insurance unbeknown to us, until after our son was born, no insurance companies in Thailand cover birth defects and now that we are fully aware of his condition, we are unable to secure a policy, leaving us facing a future wracked with uncertainty and bills we did not foresee, and cannot meet. To be honest, we never ever imagined this scenario and we are raw with the pain of being unable to find the financial support to help our son live his best possible life. In many of the sleepless nights we spend in rotation, trying to feed Finley or administer his medication we feel alone and in despair. We pray for help and we pray too for all parents in this country who find themselves in the same situation. Surely, in this day and age, with inclusivity carrying such a powerful message, a child born with a birth defect should have the right to be supported in a positive and supportive medical system. No one deserves to encounter financial discrimination at the most challenging time of their life, simply because nature has thrown a curve ball into the mix. Finley spent 4 weeks in Neonatal intensive care after his birth, at a cost of £13,000. Since then every check-up, every consultant, every specialist, not to mention all the medication, scans and tests have each carried a hefty bill. Whilst we have found and moved Finley to a less expensive hospital the costs are still crippling, which has had a huge impact on our lives. Due to a complex set of needs, we care for Finley, night and day, with each of us taking the day or night shift. Consequently, this has rendered us unable to return to work and as Thailand only pays maternity cover for 45 days, we have had to use our savings to fund Finley’s medical bills. Of course our dream would be to return to the U.K. but unfortunately, this is not an option for us as the medical team has informed us that Finley's heart would not withstand the strain of a long haul flight.

Every parents’ worse nightmare is for their child to be seriously ill and for their future to be uncertain and to carry the extra worry of spiraling medical bills is more than we can bear. We are away from home and family support, and whilst we carry hope in our hearts for his future, we are scared for Finley’s future if we cannot find the funds to pay for his ongoing treatment. We love our son with all our heart but we are broken; mentally and physically drained by the situation in which we find ourselves.

We are proud, hard-working people and we appreciate that life is tough for so many people right now but we are reaching out … to you … people we may never know, in the hope that you can help and support us in Finley’s fight for a right to a life.

If you are able to donate, whatever the amount, please know that we appreciate your support and thank you, sincerely; your kindness will never, ever be forgotten.

Abigail, Nick and Finley.

Please see below for updates.