Ryder's Story - where every moment counts

At only one week old Ryder was rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick after an abscess burst on his left frontal lobe. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and needed urgent surgery. It was here his family met Neurosurgeon Erica Jacobson whose skill and determination saved Ryder’s life.

Read Ryder’s story, written by his extremely proud mum Tamara…

"We call Erica our angel. From the moment we met her, to this very moment now, we know that Dr Jacobson will always work to ensure Ryder has the best life possible. There are no words to describe our feelings for her, it brings tears to my eyes every time I think of what she has done for our family. Without her our little boy would not be here to talk about with you right now. Ryder is alive today because of her amazing work and her drive to ensure he survived.

It’s been an extremely tough year for Ryder. To date he’s had 13 brain surgeries, over 20 MRI scans, multiple ultrasounds and endless amount of differing procedures to keep him fighting. He also has two VP Shunts on his brain that he will have for the rest of his life.

The amount of procedures and surgeries Ryder has endured has been extremely hard, but we are so thankful for each and every opportunity that is presented to us to have a life we honestly didn’t think we would get 12 months ago when it all began.

Life for Ryder is a mix of amazing memories being created but still a lot of fighting. With constant therapies and many obstacles to overcome, we are feeling our way through what the next few years and beyond have in store for us. Ryder was officially diagnosed with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy in March. We knew it was coming considering all that he has gone through, but it is always still so hard. Ryder is doing amazing, so I choose not to look at what he isn’t doing but more at what he is doing.

Almost a year ago doctors and nurses at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick threw themselves into saving our little man - a fight they tell us now they honestly didn’t think he would survive. He has come so far and is doing such amazing things. We are just so thankful for the opportunity, as without the amazing Erica Jacobson and all the other teams, it may have been a very different story.

Donating to the Gold Appeal supports not only the facilities within the Hospital, it also helps to ensure the families that put their lives in the hands of the amazing professionals get the support and facilities they need too. I have always said to people a donation no matter how small could help a family you know, or even your own, because there was a time when I thought it would never be us.”