A Paisley mum who has seen her daughter spend half her life in hospital says a recent operation is finally allowing the youngster to enjoy her childhood.
Suzi Gibson, who has a number of complex medical problems, has been able to play with her sister, enjoy her first “healthy” Christmas and go sledging following a life-changing operation back in July.
The nine-year-old, who weighed just 2.11lbs when she was born at 28 weeks, lost a leg and suffers with several serious prosthetic conditions, including a chronic lung disease, cerebral palsy and respiratory issues.
Her twin Neha sadly passed away at just 12 days old.
Her mum Margaret, who cried tears of joy when she saw Suzi enjoy last week’s snowfall for the first time, says she feels the family is finally turning a corner.
She said: “Suzi has spent her whole life going in and out of hospital, on one occasion spending a year in hospital.
“She has missed out on a lot of her childhood.
“In July, she ended up undergoing major bowel surgery.
“She got a stoma and came home in August.
“Until she had the operation, we didn’t know if it would work, but, thankfully, it has been successful.
“It has taken so much of her pain away.
“My wee girl is now out there enjoying life and there has been such a change in her.”
Suzi lost a leg eight weeks after birth and as a result of her health concerns has not been able to use her prosthetic leg.
But that has not stopped the Ferguslie Park girl’s adventurous spirit always shining through.
And, when Paisley was covered in thick snow last week, the wee one was desperate to get out and enjoy it with her older sister Gabriella.
Unable to find a sledge big enough for Suzi to lie in, her determined mum created her own using a basket and a specialist seat, which helps Suzi sit up, and strapped her in safely.
The result was the ability to enjoy the snow for the first time and hours of endless fun.
Margaret said: “For my wee girl, who has suffered so much, to just feel wonderful, to go sledging and be smiling, to be with her sister and cousin and for them to enjoy that time with her, is just amazing.
“I really wanted her to experience the snow and to build up those lovely memories.
“She felt well enough in herself to do it and you can see from the pictures how much she loved it.”
The snow offered the Gibson family some much-needed light relief as they have been shielding throughout the pandemic.
Suzi has, throughout that period, been in and out of hospital and, while her condition remains life-limiting and she has many daily hurdles to overcome, Margaret is determined to make the most of every minute with her girls.
She added: “I have to mention my amazing big princess Gabriella, who has been through all the anxiety and upset as she watches her sister struggle with ill health.
“She is there to help with Suzi and the love between them both is beautiful.
“We are a close family and, when one hurts, the others hurt, so we pull together to get each other through the most difficult times.
“The aim now is to just run with the good days with Suzi and do as much as she can to build those precious memories.
“I just live for each new day with my girls and appreciate everything and everyone in our lives.”
