Miracle Baby Iarla Ace Celebrates His First Christmas at Home
An exceptional baby boy, who weighed just 1 lb 10 oz at birth, is set to savor his first taste of Christmas dinner after a feeding tube was removed in time for the festive season.
Fighting for Life
Doctors initially doubted that Iarla Ace would make it through his first few days when he was born prematurely at 25 weeks in the Royal Maternity Hospital in Belfast last October.
Overcoming Adversity
However, Iarla has defied expectations and overcome numerous serious health challenges, including a brain hemorrhage shortly after birth.
Medical Milestones
The little miracle has undergone five operations and spent a total of 127 days in the hospital before finally being discharged to his family home in Castlecaulfield, near Dungannon, County Tyrone, in February this year.
Family Reunion at Christmas
Iarla’s mother, Lindsay, a nurse at Craigavon Area Hospital, along with his father Matthew, a team leader in a pharmaceutical company, and their four-year-old daughter Aine, are eagerly anticipating their first Christmas at home together with the resilient 14-month-old.
Painful Lessons from Last Year
Lindsay described last Christmas as a challenging experience.
“It was a horrible year because we had to balance visits to the hospital with making sure Aine had a special Christmas at home,” she said.
Medical Setbacks
Things took a turn for the worse on New Year’s Day when Iarla developed a bowel obstruction and required urgent surgery at the Royal Hospital in Belfast.
Current Milestones
This year, the Ace family is looking forward to a different kind of holiday.
“It’s going to be amazing to have the four of us together at home for Christmas, enjoying family dinners and visits without ever having to step foot in the hospital again,” Lindsay expressed.
Triumph Over Medical Challenges
Matthew, reflecting on the day Iarla finally came home, said, “It was just unreal. The last four weeks slowing down made it all the more precious.”
Removing the Feeding Tube
The removal of Iarla’s feeding tube was a significant milestone in his recovery journey.
“I cried so much, I was just so happy and proud of him,” Lindsay recalled.
This process took a considerable time, but Iarla’s parents have seen him thrive, meeting all his developmental milestones for his corrected age.
“He’s enjoying his food and drinks, and he’s a very content and happy little boy,” Lindsay added with a smile.
Gratitude and Support Systems
The Ace family is deeply thankful to all the medical professionals and supporters involved in Iarla’s care.
“We are so grateful to the doctors and nurses at the Royal in Belfast and Craigavon Hospital who’ve helped us with Iarla’s care,” said Lindsay.
They also acknowledged the “amazing support” of TinyLife, a charity that assists families with premature babies.
Additionally, the family highlighted the help from Shine, a charity providing specialist support for those affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
Charity Support
TinyLife and Shine have played vital roles in the family’s journey.
For more information on how you can support these charities, visit www.tinylife.org.uk.
A Beacon of Hope
Iarla’s story serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of human life and the compassionate efforts of medical professionals and support organizations.
As Christmas approaches, the Ace family is filled with joy and anticipation for this milestone event, both in medical recovery and shared family time.
We encourage you to reach out and share your thoughts on stories like Iarla’s. Your messages of hope and support can make a significant difference for families facing similar challenges.
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