Since the moment she was born just over a year ago Carys Bibby's life has been one enormous struggle. Fighting a rare genetic condition that prevents her breathing properly, she first had open-heart surgery aged just seven weeks. Then the tiny baby had to go through two more bouts of heart surgery to replace a valve and fix two holes in her heart.
Despite this the fiesty 14-month-old is still smiling and on Monday, for the first time in her young life, she will be allowed home to Botley Drive, Leigh Park, permanently. Her proud dad Craig Bibby, 30, a Portsmouth police officer, said: 'We were told each time she had heart surgery there was a big risk involved. 'They didn't think she would get through it and they can't believe how strong she has been.
'The past 14 months have just been full of complete uncertainty. We've all just been fighting every day.' Mr Bibby and his partner Helen Thomas, 29, had no idea their daughter was unwell until she was born.
She was later diagnosed with Charge syndrome, a genetic condition which affects one-in-10,000 babies. Her condition means that she has problems breathing and moving like a normal child. Mr Bibby said: 'I helped deliver her, which was really exciting.
'I got to have a quick cuddle but then they took her straight off before Helen could 'She was grey and not making any noise. The next thing I knew she had been through a year and a bit of intensive care.' As well as operations, she has had to cope with six bouts of pneumonia, and a host of other viruses and infections.
She spent the first seven months of her life in Southampton General Hospital, before moving to St Mary's Hospital in Portsmouth. She still has to be hooked up to oxygen 24 hours a day through a tube into her windpipe. Mr Bibby and Miss Thomas have an extra reason to celebrate Carys coming home.
The couple are getting married next month, after previously putting off the wedding to focus on their daughter. 'We are hoping it will be a bit of closure for us,' said Mr Bibby. 'Carys will be there too and we are just really excited.
Since the moment she was born just over a year ago Carys Bibby's life has been one enormous struggle.
News RSS