Radiokop family doing well after baby’s rough start to life
Born two months premature, baby Hayden was eventually released from hospital on Women's Day.
What was supposed to be one of the happiest moments of their lives quickly turned into a nightmare for Jessica Boyd-Sutherland and Dylan Morrison.
A seven-months-pregnant Jessica had to undergo an emergency C-section on July 22 after not feeling too well the day before.
“Dylan took me to Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital in the evening where I was admitted and told that I would need to undergo a C-section both for my safety and that of my baby,” she says. “Doctors were worried about my blood pressure and felt that the safest option would be to have the baby delivered as soon as possible.”
Jessica was wheeled into the operating room shortly after midnight and a short while later, baby Hayden made his appearance.
“Being two months premature, he had to be kept on oxygen in an incubator. He had not yet developed the instinct to suckle and thus had to be fed intravenously.
“Doctors estimated that he would need to remain admitted in hospital for at least two to three weeks.”
She adds that, except for the baby’s inability to suckle, he was otherwise in good health.
The shock came when it was revealed that their medical insurance scheme only covered a fraction of the cost.
“The quote we received from the hospital was for well over R500 000, of which our medical insurance would only cover R75 000. We did not know how long Hayden would need to remain in hospital, and the costs were stacking up every day.”
According to grandmother Bernadette Morrison, the hospital tried to assist the family by attempting to get Hayden transferred to a nearby government hospital.
“It turns out that the government hospitals that had the space available did not have the necessary equipment, and those with the equipment did not have space. Thus, there was no choice but to keep him at Life Wilgeheuwel.”
Bernadette adds that the level of care – and caring – Hayden and the family received from the hospital and medical personnel was outstanding.
Out of desperation, Dylan’s younger sister, Jacquita Morrison, started a BackaBuddy campaign to raise funds for the fast-accumulating hospital bills. Within a week, she had managed to raise R180 000.
“We just shared the link as much as we could on social media, and the funds started coming in worldwide. I could scarcely believe it,” she says.
By Women’s Day, Hayden’s condition had improved to such an extent that doctors released him from hospital, much to the delight of the family.
According to the new parents, Hayden is doing well and is the light of their lives.
“I would advise people to carefully read through any medical insurance policies to make sure what exactly they are covered for. People tend to simply believe the salesperson that sells you the policy, and end up receiving the shock of their lives. I am sure we are not the only people this has happened to.”
If you would like to contribute toward Hayden’s hospital bills, please follow the following link: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/my-little-boy-hayden
