Love and care that saved little Abigail Baker: Family’s tribute to hospital staff, Starlight Children’s Foundation

Each year this time, the hearts of one Adelaide mum and dad fill with gratitude as they reflect on their precious daughter’s lifesaving operations.

Little Abigail Baker was just two weeks old when she had the first of two lifesaving open heart operations. Picture supplied.

Proud parents Scott and Kylie Baker count their blessings daily but each year between Christmas and New Year those feelings of gratitude intensify.

Eight years ago, they almost lost their precious baby girl, Abigail, to a congenital heart disease.

At just two weeks old, she was flown from Adelaide to Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital for the first of two lifesaving open-heart surgeries.

The Morphett Vale couple was told their little girl, who had suddenly turned blue, might not survive.

“We were numb with shock. We knew we had an agonising road ahead of us,” Mrs Baker said.

Abigail developed septicaemia and was placed in intensive care on a ventilator.

“We never imagined Christmas could be filled with so much pain and fear … but you have to take everything as it comes with a sick child,” Mrs Baker said.

“But we soon discovered what a strong, determined little fighter she was.”

Abigail, now 8, has been in an out of hospital since she was two weeks old – and is here finding joy in Captain Starlight. Picture supplied.

Today, Abigail, who loves to play the piano, dance and perform, requires ongoing treatment which, her mum admits, takes a toll. “The demands of hospital impact the whole family,” Mrs Baker said.

“Abigail gets tired easily and has to be extremely careful of infections which put her health at serious risk.

“She’s not able to do what her peers can do and thinks it’s unfair that she has to go to hospital for yet more blood tests when her friends don’t have to. (She also) struggles emotionally with anxiety.”

However, Mrs Baker said the family has been supported on their journey by the Starlight Children’s Foundation which aims to bring “joy and positive distraction” into the lives of children in hospital.

“Starlight was there for us from day one … it is our reward for Abigail,” Mrs Baker said.

“Hospital becomes a happy place for her and we can never have enough words to express our gratitude.” The president of Starlight’s Health Professionals Advisory Board, Les White, agreed the role the charity played in the lives of sick children and their families was invaluable.

,Each month, children and their families make more than 15,000 visits to Starlight Express Rooms and are visited by the charity’s Captain Starlight “superhero”. “Total care means more than excellent medical care; it’s a healing environment that includes entertainment, diversion, fun, laughter and joy,” Professor White said.

He said the need for the foundation’s services had never been greater, urging people to support the charity in the lead up to 2021.

Visit the charity’s website at starlight.org.au to donate to its festive season appeal