Baby Izzy, from Bella’s Blessings, a foster home that opens its doors to children who have nowhere else to go, continues to put up a fight and show resilience.

Izzy is a strong 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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The baby girl is not giving up, despite the difficulties she is facing. Izzy had surgery 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, once again displaying her unending bravery. She has made encouraging progress since her surgery. While she remains a medically complex little girl, and her journey will look very different to that of a typically developing child, there have been significant improvements in her comfort and overall well-being.

Founder of the home, Lauren Matthewson-Woolard, explained that prior to the surgery feeding was a constant challenge. Much of her energy was spent simply coping with severe reflux, discomfort, and repeated illness. “Since the procedure, she has been able to tolerate her feeds far better and has gained weight steadily. Most importantly, she is more comfortable. One of the most beautiful changes we have witnessed is that she is finally able to rest properly.”

Now Izzy can relax, sleep comfortably, and even snuggle into her blankets. To many people, that may seem like a small thing, but for Izzy, it represents a huge improvement in her quality of life.

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Matthewson-Woolard said since the surgery, Izzy appears stronger, and her body is no longer working as hard simply to cope with feeding difficulties, which allows her to direct more energy towards growth and development. “Emotionally, Izzy has always shown incredible determination. Her smiles are still limited, but she communicates in many other ways. We see moments of contentment, calmness, and connection that remind us just how much she understands and experiences the world around her.”

Bella’s Blessings is actively working towards securing a larger and more suitable home for the children. Matthewson-Woolard explained that children like Izzy need space for therapy, specialised equipment, sensory experiences, and accessible environments that can grow with them. A larger property would allow them to better meet their needs, while also providing enhanced care and opportunities for many other vulnerable children with complex medical and developmental challenges.

Izzy still faces significant medical challenges, and will continue to require specialised care. However, the surgery addressed one of the major issues that was impacting her health, comfort, and quality of life on a daily basis. “For the first time in a long time, it feels as though we are moving forward. There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead, but we now have a much stronger foundation on which to build.”

Izzy’s story is a powerful reminder that a diagnosis does not define a child. Her future may look different from what many people imagine, but it is still filled with possibility. Every day she continues to demonstrate resilience, determination, and an incredible capacity to overcome obstacles. The surgery has given her a stronger foundation from which to grow.

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