A Scots mum with Multiple Sclerosis fears she might lose her baby son, who born with a rare disorder, because her own health has left her struggling to provide the round-the-clock care he needs after his father passed away last week
Amanda Fleming's 21-month-old son Rowan was born with Pfeiffer Syndrome and has been in hospital since birth, undergoing 21 gruelling operations on his face and skull.
Pfeiffer syndrome is a genetic disorder characterised by premature fusion of certain skull bones.
The brave youngster has a permanent tracheostomy fitted to enable him to help him breath and a gastrostomy tube to feed him.
Amanda, 42, who also has a nine-year-old daughter Kristiana, 42, is largely confined to a wheelchair because of her MS.
The Biggar mum was dealt another devastating blow after her partner, and Rowan's dad David MCCrone, 60, passed away following a battle with cancer last week.
Amanda says while baby Rowan currently has to stay in hospital for the time being ahead of another planned surgery, she is now facing the terrifying reality of him having to be given up to a foster home because she is unable to provide him with the 24-hour care he needs without the support of his daddy.
Amanda said: "I am absolutely heartbroken that I may not be able to care for Rowan. Nothing has been set in stone yet, but in my last conversation with his social services team they mentioned that fostering may have to be looked at as a possible solution.
"It's not what I want but I know I can't look after him on my own without Dave. It's just an impossible situation.
"I'm in this wheelchair most of the time and Rowan needs help all the time."
Rowan was born on April 29, 2019 in Wishaw General Hospital before being immediately diagnosed with Pfieffer Syndrome - a condition which affects just one in 100,000 babies born in the world.
The tiny tot was quickly transferred to Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Children and underwent his first surgery on his head when he was just two weeks old. He now faces a lifetime of surgeries and medical care.
Despite spending all of his short life so far in hospital, Amanda says her son is "a happy wee boy" and before his dad's death last week, the devoted parents were managing to visit him up to five times a week.
However without Dave to drive her to Glasgow, Amanda has been left relying on her elderly father to make the two hour round trip for Rowan's visits.
Speaking through tears, she said: "Dave passing away has a been a huge shock. I still can't believe it. He was such a great dad to Rowan and he was always there for Kristiana too. We were both there for Rowan and did everything we could for him together.
"We would visit him together four or five times a week, but now Dave's gone I can only managed to get up two or three times a week.
"My dad has to sit in the car for four hours while I'm in with Rowan because he is not allowed in. It's a difficult time."
Despite his health struggles Amanda says her son is 'amazing' and always smiling.
She said: "He is such a happy wee boy and he is a fighter. He has had so many operations and he always bounces back and recovers so well. Recently he managed to sit up by himself so that was a big milestone. He is so amazing and always trying his best."
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Amanda says her daughter Kristiana dotes on her little brother and misses not getting to see him. She said: "She is a great big sister and she just loves Rowan so much. We all do."
South Lanarkshire Council have said while they cannot go into detail, they are working closely with Amanda to ensure the best possible outcome for Rowan. A Spokesperson added: "We cannot comment further on individual cases."
