Despite facing a lot of health challenges, and being in and out of hospital, baby Izzy continues to put up a fight and show resilience. 16-month-old Izzy is a beautiful little girl living with profound disabilities. She is deaf, blind, and has cerebral palsy (CP), a group of neurological disorders that affect movement, posture, and muscle co-ordination, typically caused by damage to the developing brain.

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After a traumatic start, she is now safe in the loving care of Bella’s Blessings, a foster home that opens its doors to children who have nowhere else to go.

Founder of the home Lauren Matthewson-Woolard explained that baby Izzy was placed with them through the foster system. She said that when they first saw her, she was a very vulnerable baby, who needed a safe and loving home.

Lauren explained that it was clear that the baby had been through more in her first days, weeks, and months of life than most people face in a lifetime. “Even though we were aware she came with serious medical needs, we felt, in our hearts, that she belonged with us. We didn’t hesitate, because every child deserves someone to stand in the gap for them, to fight for them, and to believe in their worth. It was heartbreaking to look at her and know how uncertain her future was, but it also made us even more determined to love her fiercely, and give her every chance possible.”

Izzy recently had a surgery at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, to insert a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. The PEG tube will allow her to receive nutrition through her stomach. Despite the high risks of the surgery, Izzy came out of it stable, displaying yet again her unending bravery. Although the surgery was a success, she is still a very vulnerable baby, with ongoing medical needs, and her recovery has been full of ups and downs.

“She fights through every setback,” said Matthewson-Woolard, “and surprises her doctors with her strength. Each small milestone – a smile, a stable day, a moment without tubes – feels like a victory worth celebrating. She continues to need a lot of care, but she is showing us, every day, that she wants to be here, that she is a fighter.”

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More than anything, Izzy continues to defy the odds stacked against her. She may not have had the easiest start in life, but she is teaching that even the smallest can carry the biggest weight. Her story is one of hope, courage, and love.

The home has set up a BackaBuddy campaign for the medical costs, as well as Lizzy’s other needs. Lauren explained that she deserves to grow up surrounded by love, dignity, and safety, but her care is complex, and the costs go far beyond what Bella’s Blessings can carry alone. “With support, we can make sure Izzy, not only has the specialised equipment and medical supplies she needs, but also the constant, dedicated care that will give her comfort, stability, and the best quality of life possible.”

Some of the things Izzy needs:

• A specialised paediatric cot/bed to keep her postured correctly and reduce her risk of aspiration,
• Medical equipment and supplies for her tube feeding and daily care,
• A dedicated carer, so Izzy always has the focused support she needs, and
• Help with ongoing medical costs, transport to and from hospital, and essentials not otherwise provided.

Lauren added that another positive that has come is that doctors are considering that she is not entirely blind, as originally diagnosed, and that she has a condition known as cortical visual impairment. “This will need to be confirmed through an MRI and by an ophthalmologist. We are trying and get this sponsored, so that we can get her the correct support and treatment, but, more than anything, we hope she knows how loved she is, how many people are rooting for her, and how much her little life already matters. Our dream is simply that she has the chance to live – to grow, to laugh, to be surrounded by love.”

Back a buddy link: Backabuddy.co.za

For information: lauren.woolard@outlook.com

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