Noah is having a great time
Noah got gifts to brighten up hospital stays thanks to Zak’s amazing legacy
Little Noah Ross is thriving after having major heart surgery only seven weeks ago.
And his parents Jill and Colin want to thank a special Ayrshire charity, which gave their son amazing presents to brighten up his days of recovery.
Noah, of Doonfoot, has been busy playing with a scooter and cuddly lion thanks to the Zak Scott Braveheart Foundation.
The 19- month- old who was born with a 10mm hole in his heart has endured two major operations and spent time in intensive care.
His parents first noticed he wasn’t well when Noah started breathing very fast at 10 days old.
He was sent to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow and doctors discovered a large hole between the bottom two chambers of his heart.
At 10 weeks old surgeons placed a band around his pulmonary artery to plug the gap.
Jill and Colin found it agonising to see their baby in intensive care as he battled through complications.
Colin said: “It is so hard to see your child connected up to lots of wires on a ventilator. The hardest thing as a parent is knowing your kid has to got through something as hard as that.” But the couple said that Noah’s experience with the Zak Scott Foundation in the Glasgow hospital gave them a positive focus during the dark days.
Zak who was also born with a hole in his heart tragically died just before his 15th birthday on March 30, 2011.
His family decided to set up a charity, which makes wishes come true for other children in hospital undergoing cardiac surgery.
Nurse Jill said: “When Noah was first admitted to hospital in Glasgow he was only a couple weeks old and the nurses started telling us about Zak Scott and the charity set up in his memory.
“Noah got a play ring nest and a braveheart lion. It is such a lovely thing to do for kids going through rough times. Getting a present puts a smile on their faces.”
Noah sailed through his second serious surgical procedure in September, which saw doctors sew a patch on his heart.
Project manager Colin said: “He just went through major heart surgery and on day four and five he was up playing with his toys and dancing. His heart now is fully functional and to have it fully repaired is incredible.” Jill added: “He’s taken it in his stride.” The family, including Noah’s big brothers Ben and Finlay are planning a trip to Florida for a break after all the hospital visits.
Noah again benefitted from the Zak Scott Braveheart Foundation during his most recent visit to hospital and took delivery of a scooter.
Jill said: “He loves his scooter. We were very touched by the generosity of the foundation to Noah.
“His family underwent the worst thing that could happen to them. They have lost their own child and they do this for other kids.”
Zak’s whole family from Kilwinning are involved in fulfilling kids’ wishes.
Mum Roslyn, 43, take the orders from families while dad Ian and brother Brandon, 17, deliver the presents.
Zak’s gran Sarah Rodgers, of Irvine, helps Roslyn with the orders.
The gran- of- six, 66, said: “It was actually Zak’s wish. He was in hospital every year. We used to buy him a gift and ask him what would make him feel better.
“He noticed other children in hospital who didn’t get a gift. He said all children going through surgery should get a wee wish. When he passed away we decided to carry on his legacy. He was such a lovely, caring boy.
“The charity is going from strength to strength. We are really touched by the amount of people who have supported us.”