By LIA SPENCER
JESSIKA Mylne and Ben Evans were ecstatic when they found out she was pregnant with twins last year. But shortly after the birth, the couple went from thrilled to worried in the blink of an eye when one of the twins was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Friends and family have now rallied behind the young family to help with costly medical treatment overseas at the end of this year.
“When we found out we were pregnant with twins, we were pretty blown away,” 28-year-old Jess said.
“I was told I would probably have them early. My waters broke at 28 weeks. I went into hospital for two weeks, and got induced on 28 October,” she said.
“I gave birth to Chase and Karter on the 29th. I didn’t expect to have them that early!”
Chase was breached, and Karter was delivered with forceps and they had to stay in hospital for seven weeks.
Karter had a swell on his face and a black eye. A brain scan revealed Karter suffered from a brain bleed during labour. Jess said she and Ben were told that, worse case scenario, Karter might have a difficult time learning how to read and write. But a later MRI showed that the brain bleed was quite significant and Karter could possibly have cerebral palsy.
“Then everything changed overnight,” Jess said.
“Karter was doing fine just like his brother, then one day he just started screaming and tensing and having spasms. His neck was stiff and he couldn’t follow me.”
A neurologist baby doctor at Clayton diagnosed Karter with CP and said that, based on how big the brain bleed was, Karter wouldn’t be able to walk or communicate.
“I was upset, but I didn’t know anything about it. I started doing a lot of research,” Jess said.
“I’ve been taking him to a chiropractor and since then Karter is more relaxed and his body is not so tense. He wasn’t eating and now he is back to sucking a bottle.”
Through her research, Jess had discovered stem cell treatment in Bangkok to help Karter. The family will leave on 30 November and Karter will undergo eight rounds of treatment during the one-month stay.
The cost will exceed 36,000 dollars.
“I am looking forward to Karter receiving treatment. I have watched testimonials from families with babies in worse condition than Karter who have had good results. I know it’s not guaranteed improvement though because every kid is different,” she said.
“I am also nervous about having two one year olds in Thailand, but it’s the only option we have.”
Friends have organised a fund-raiser for the family. Karter’s Family Fun Fund-raiser will be held on 13 June from 10am until 4pm at Casey Comets Football ground, O’Tooles Road in Cranbourne. There will be market stalls, face painting, food, live music, rides, and entertainment. Email matthearicher@hotmail.com for questions regarding the event. Donations can also be made through www.gofundme.com/ozdzc0 or directly to ANZ – Bsb:013885 Acc: 218423487. More information is available on the Help Baby Karter Facebook page.
