Parents launch appeal for baby Freya

A family is raising funds to keep their baby girl safe from bullying and depression when she gets older. Six-month-old Freya Strang has two types of flat head syndrome, plagiocephaly and brachycephaly and wears a special helmet.

A FAMILY is raising funds to keep their baby girl safe from bullying and depression when she gets older.

Six-month-old Freya Strang has two severe types of Flat Head Syndrome, Plagiocephaly and Brachycephaly, and wears a special helmet to re-shape her skull.

The helmet treatment is not available on the NHS and Freya’s parents Gemma and Allan Strang, both volunteer firefighters in Kimelford, have started a Justgiving page to raise the £3,000 they need to pay for it in instalments and to fund their travel to the special private clinic run by Technology In Motion at Bothwell Church Centre, near Hamilton.

Donations have already come in from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Family Support Trust and the Freemasons in Oban.

One in 25 babies are affected by the syndrome, although nine out of 10 cases, which are not classed as severe, will go back to normal without medical intervention.

Freya’s diagnosis was so severe her family feared it could put her mental health at risk in the future. Because it is termed as a cosmetic condition, there was no help available from the NHS.

‘We get a lot of confused looks from people,’ said Gemma. ‘Someone even asked me if it was a cycling helmet! The treatment is expensive but it’s worth every penny. Without it Freya could face bullying when she gets older. It could affect her mentally. It could lead to depression and body image problems. It would be a horrible route to go down.’

Blues band Mudslide, which played at Gemma and Allan’s wedding, are playing for nothing at a fundraising gig on Saturday April 14 at Kilmelford Village Hall with entry by donation.

Local businesses are donating prizes but more are still needed.

Proceeds from the night will be split between Freya’s Justgiving Page and Headstart4Babies charity to help raise awareness of the syndrome and keep lobbying the NHS to offer the TiMband helmet treatments across the UK.

TiMband clinicians are pleased with Freya’s progress. After three months of wearing the helmet, the difference is amazing. She still has another four months to go and is having monthly check-ups.

The tot, who has a five-year-old brother Ryan, was eight weeks old when Gemma took her to the health visitor for advice.

‘I’d noticed it looked different and a few people had made comments. The health visitor said it should go back to normal but I was worried. I Googled it and found the clinic at Bothwell. They have been amazing every step of the way. A 4D scan showed there was danger of it starting to protrude at the front.

‘I’d say to anyone who thinks their baby’s head looks out of shape, not to be scared and get it checked out. Freya’s case was severe. Thanks to the helmet her flat head has gone from severe to moderate in just two months and it’s still improving - but babies need to get help when they are still very young and the helmets work best,’ said Gemma.

To give support, message Allan Strang Jnr on Facebook or go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ allan-strang