Family’s wrestle for solutions as child battles mysterious ‘floppy infant syndrome’ | EUROtoday

A household is enduring vital hardship as they desperately search a analysis for his or her 14-month-old daughter, who’s battling a mysterious, undiagnosed sickness.

Elyza, the daughter of Yasmin Whittington, 30, from Brechin, Angus, is bothered by an unknown situation manifesting as persistent illness, poor feeding, diminished muscle tone, and power fatigue.

The signs first emerged when Elyza was simply two months outdated, resulting in months of hospitalisation and quite a few diagnostic assessments in an try to determine her ailment.

Her mom, Ms Whittington, has been compelled to go away her job to supply full-time look after Elyza.

She mentioned: “It all started when Elyza was about two months old. She began being sick, she wasn’t feeding right and she was very floppy. I knew something wasn’t right.

“Her muscle tone was almost non-existent, and she would sleep around 21 hours a day. She just wasn’t developing the way she should.

“Almost a year on we’re still waiting for a diagnosis. Elyza’s been in hospital for more than three months of her life and it’s still something doctors are working hard to understand. It’s been very tough on all of us.”

She added: “Elyza’s only just started sitting and she can’t feed orally. She’s fed through a tube and struggles to gain weight. Development-wise she’s closer to a five or six-month-old.

“Doctors are trying to figure out the best way forward.

“I’ve gone from mum to nurse quite quickly, I live and breathe everything about her care now. You just adapt because you have to.”

Ms Whittington, lives with husband Charles, 31, and her three different youngsters, Isaac, seven, Alfie, 5, and Isla, two.

She mentioned docs initially thought her daughter’s sickness was “floppy infant syndrome”, however imagine there should be an underlying trigger.

Elyza may additionally quickly need to depend on a feeding tube on to her abdomen as she suffers from critical gastrointestinal issues.

Ms Whittington is participating in Glasgow’s Kiltwalk problem to boost cash for The Archie Foundation, a charity established to enhance healthcare for youngsters.

The household credited the charity for serving to make a distinction to their daughter’s life, offering them with a particular automotive seat that helps Elyza’s low muscle tone.

Ms Whittington mentioned: “It’s been a life changer. They helped us get the car seat organised within two weeks.

“It’s so expensive when you’re travelling back and forward and spending time in hospital. They’ve lifted a huge financial burden for us during a really tough time.

“When everything felt overwhelming, Archie’s support reminded us that we weren’t alone.”

Ms Whittington will participate within the stroll together with her pals, Zoe McCormack, 30, and Rohana Dewfall, 29, and plans to boost extra money later this yr through the Dundee Kiltwalk.

She mentioned: “I’m not a great runner so I thought the Kiltwalk would be a nice way to say thanks to The Archie Foundation, that I’d be able to complete with limited training, given we’re at the hospital a lot of the time just now.

“Getting out and about for walks is really good for your mental health at times like this, so I’m really looking forward to starting training properly once Elyza is feeling better.”

She added: “Whatever happens, we’re just learning what our new normal looks like and doing everything we can to give her the best life possible.”

Reti Turner, senior fundraising officer at The Archie Foundation, mentioned: “We’re proud to support families like Yasmin and Elyza’s, helping them access the practical and financial assistance they need.

“Caring for a child with complex needs can be overwhelming, and no family should have to face it alone.

“It’s incredibly heartwarming to hear Yasmin is taking part in Kiltwalk to raise money for our charity, and everyone at The Archie Foundation would like to wish her well in the challenge.”