The gift of support

AFTER COBBER SUFFERED SEVERAL SEIZURES HIS FAMILY’S LIFE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN, THOUSANDS OF KILOMETRES FROM HELP

When Tegan and Daniel Parker made the move to the remote town of Kununurra near the Kimberley Region of Western Australia, the expectant couple had no idea their change of scenery was about to place them thousands of kilometres away from the lifesaving treatment their unborn child would soon desperately need. Although Tegan had experienced a straightforward pregnancy without complications, the couple’s world was turned upside down when their firstborn son, Cobber, was born with a range of deformities and a number of emerging health issues. “Within minutes of me giving birth he stopped breathing and was having seizures as well as a bleed on the brain,” says Tegan. “We were flown out of Kununurra to stabilise him and figure out what was wrong.”

For the new family of three, this involved their first, but certainly not their last, extended hospital stay. “We found out Cobber has Arthrogryposis, which is a congenital joint disorder,” explains Tegan. “He also has an undiagnosed syndrome and other underlying issues.” Tegan and her family were immediately presented with the opportunity to reside at Ronald Mcdonald House for the duration of Cobber’s hospital visits, as well as follow-up tests and treatment. “Ronald Mcdonald House has been an absolute saviour – they’re the reason we’re still together,” says Tegan. “Without them the stress on our family would have been astronomical.”

Cobber, now four, still regularly requires lengthy hospital visits. These see him flown to Sydney or Perth for treatment, joined by Tegan, who is pregnant with baby number three, and younger brother Munro. Daniel remains at home as he needed to return to work. “Ronald Mcdonald House made it possible for us to not have to leave our jobs and move to the city,” says Tegan tearfully. “Cobber wouldn’t be able to see his specialist in Westmead if it wasn’t for them… the lifesaving treatment he’s had is massive.”

Cobber’s current specialist is also the only doctor in Australia who specifically works with Cobber’s type of condition. Although Tegan and Cobber are often away from home for six months of the year, Tegan treats their experiences as a completely normal part of their everyday life. “The house is our home away from home and the volunteers have grown to be like family because they’re so supportive and Cobber absolutely adores them,” she adds.

“We never feel like we’re missing out on family because Ronald Mcdonald House is our family.”

“The volunteers have grown to be like family and Cobber absolutely adores them TEGAN PARKER

FROM TOP: Munro and Cobber; left: Tegan and Daniel with their boys; right: Cobber catches up on his reading; a brotherly bond