$18k raised in three days for six-month old Bendigo baby Ted battling rare heart condition

Six-month old Bendigo baby Ted, the “unlucky twin”, is fighting for his life under the knife as he battles a serious heart condition.

The Bendigo community has rallied behind six-months old baby Ted.

A Bendigo baby is fighting for his life, battling through multiple open heart surgeries in the first six months of his life.

Ted was born alongside his twin brother on August 22 last year to Bendigo parents Claire and Adam Crawley, but the two brothers’ lives will take very different paths.

Bendigo mother Claire Crawley with her son Ted at the Royal Children's Hospital. Picture: Contributed.

Ted has spent most of his life in the Royal Children’s Hospital, going under the knife in open heart surgery at just four weeks old – the first of many surgeries throughout his life.

Following several major post-op complications, Ted again had his chest cut open just six hours later to fix his struggling little heart, leaving him in the ICU for weeks after the “traumatic experience”.

Baby Ted was an inpatient for three months as he recovered from his first battle, undergoing painful tests, a collapsed lung, several infections and various invasive medical procedures.

“More than what most people would experience in a lifetime, and more than any parent should have to witness,” his mother Claire said.

Bendigo baby Ted Crawley. Picture: Contributed.

Despite the challenges, little Ted was able to get well enough to spend his first Christmas at home with his family.

“In that time we have been able to see Ted’s personality shine through. He is a gentle soul who is incredibly strong and resilient. He loves his family and his face lights up with a big smile every time he is around his loved ones,” Claire said.

But Claire became alarmed last weekend as her Ted went from being a “happy baby, playing and talking” to lethargic and struggling to stay awake.

A nurse herself, Claire has been monitoring Ted’s oxygen levels and immediately knew “his little heart just wasn’t coping”, and rushed him to hospital.

Ted’s condition rapidly declined and he was intubated in the Royal Children’s Hospital on Monday before undergoing his third open heart surgery on Tuesday.

Bendigo baby Ted Crawley at home and happy with his family. Picture: Contributed.

Claire said she was terrified her son could face similar life threatening post-op surgery complications again, spending sleepless nights worrying about what could go wrong.

“We’ve been really really worried because he’s been so sick lately,” she said.

“He’s been through so much I just want it to go well this time.”

Claire and dad Adam have taken turns travelling to Melbourne from Bendigo to be with Ted as he struggles to survive, both being forced to take time off work and leaving their future uncertain.

“I don’t know how many times we’ve done this drive,” Claire said.

“This journey is taking a big emotional, physical and financial toll on the whole family and we have exhausted all other options as a means to support ourselves and Ted. We are now reaching out to our community for support.”

In just three days, more than 100 people have raised more than $18,000 on a GoFundMe fundraiser for the family.

Family and friends have sent words of support to the Crawley family, as their baby son Ted undergoes multiple surgeries. Picture: GoFundMe

“It means we can take time off work and be by Ted’s bedside,” Claire said.

“He gets so scared at the hospital. He knows there’s strangers that are going to touch him and scare him.

“He has to undergo needles and it’s really scary for him.”

Claire said she was “overwhelmed” by all the “love and support” the community had already shown for Ted.

“We are so incredibly grateful for all the support we have received from friends, family and strangers, we are simply blown away.”

“It’s all for him.”