Döme is a 2-year-old boy born from a compromised pregnancy at 28 weeks, by emergency caesarean section. He was born at just 990 grams and 38 cm. He was oxygen deprived as a foetus and was on a ventilator for some time after birth. He required oxygen until 10 weeks of age due to mild bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). A cranial ultrasound revealed that he had suffered a grade II and III stroke and required ventilation again at two weeks of age due to enterococcal sepsis.
His family was able to bring him home from the hospital after nearly four months of struggle, where his two siblings were eagerly waiting for him.
Döme has had difficulty swallowing since the beginning. He also has difficulty swallowing his saliva, which requires constant suctioning, and he cannot be fed through the mouth. Without the suction machine, the family cannot go anywhere, and this situation is further complicated by his severe reflux, which causes frequent vomiting. At first, he was fed through a nasogastric tube, then at the age of 5 months, he received a gastrostomy tube, which was recently replaced with a button. He also struggles with vision and hearing problems. He has just turned 2, but his psychomotor development is lagging behind in all areas. His genetic tests are currently underway.
Döme has several developmental programmes: he attends weekly physiotherapy and physical therapy at the Early Development Centre in Budapest, and also receives Pfaffenrot therapy and speech therapy, where his mouth is treated. He is also currently undergoing a trial of neuro-hydrotherapy.
Despite the fact that Döme has been through many trials, he is a very agile, cheerful little boy. He rolls around, and although he can't sit yet, he tries to get on all fours and does everything he can to develop. He expresses his feelings and will by giggling and babbling.
Döme's parents' greatest desire is for him to learn to swallow and live the fullest life possible, which he can achieve through rehabilitation and development.
Let's help Döme and his family together to make this goal a reality.
