PARENTS of baby Daisy Smith – who has a rare disorder that meant she was born without eyes – say they have been “overwhelmed” by the public’s response to her story.
A week ago, the Argus reported a Cwmbran family’s baby was born with a rare disorder, anophthalmia.
Since then, the family, and mum, Danielle Davis, 24, said they have been inundated with messages of support. She said: “We have had loads of messages from people that we don’t even know and they have been really nice to read.”
Miss David and her partner, Andrew Smith, 31, from Greenmeadow, decided to share their story with the aim of raising £1,000 for the charity RNIB that supports people with sight loss.
“After the article was published, Within two days we had reached our total so we increased it to £2,500 after we realised how generous the public were,” she added.
“The response was better than we could have expected and it has been really encouraging.”
As part of their fundraising effort, the couple plan to undertake a 12,000ft skydive in Swansea on June 6.
Their fundraising total currently stands at £1,700.
The third pregnancy for the couple was going as planned until a 21 week scan revealed a cyst on their unborn baby’s brain.
Doctors offered the couple a termination, which they refused.
It was not until Daisy was born on February 4, that doctors realised that she had no eyes, caused by the disorder that is said to affect one in 10,000 UK births.
Doctors continued to monitor the cyst until Miss Davis was induced at 39 weeks pregnant.
Ms Davis described the news as “devastating” for them, especially as they had never heard of the condition.
This is another reason for the couple wanting to undertake the skydive as they want to raise awareness of the condition.
Daisy continues to be monitored by doctors and this week was fitted with hearing aids after tests revealed she is partially deaf.
She is also going to Great Ormond Street Hospital in the coming weeks for an operation to expand the fit glass eyes, which will be replaced with painted eyes that will look more natural when she is 18 months.
These will be replaced when she is around 18 months old with painted eyes that will look more natural.
Doctors will continue to monitor the cyst as currently it is not causing problems.
Back at home with siblings Logan, six, and Tyler, four, the couple say she is like any other baby.
Visit gofundme.com/q5n3ew to donate.
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