Couple's love for their little fighter

5:14pm Tuesday 15th May 2007

WHEN Nathan Sharpe and Kerry Holmes look at their baby son Morgan, they see a little fighter with a tough future ahead of him.

For the past three weeks the couple from Churchward have slept next to their cherished infant at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

They have been there because Morgan was born with Goldenhar syndrome, a rare birth defect that has left him without a right eye or ear.

His life has been a battle from the moment he was born on February 7 at Great Western Hospital.

Nathan, 23, said: "He was born with the defect which affected the tubes in his chest as well.

"The bone that should link his jaw to his skull did not develop properly, which means his face is lop-sided."

It was the problem with his chest a few weeks ago that was the most serious .

Nathan said: "His chest collapsed and he stopped breathing, which meant they had to perform an emergency tracheotomy.

"He was rushed to John Radcliffe Hospital where we stayed with him every night. It was an exhausting period but the staff there were absolutely fantastic.

"After about ten minutes they knew what was wrong with him and they took great care of us as well."

On Friday Morgan was able to return to the Great Western Hospital, and the long process of corrective operations will begin shortly.

Nathan said: "The first thing they want to do is expand his eye, and he will have an artificial one put in within a few months.The next stage is to work on his jaw, but given he is only three months old that may be too early."

Caring for their only child has been a constant strain on the young couple.

On a few occasions Nathan had to leave his 22-year-old partner in Oxford while he snatched some rest.

He said: "It has been far tougher for her than me, because she has had no let up since the birth.

"We only hope now that things are getting slightly easier and we will be able to relax a bit."

Both parents have been unable to work since Morgan's birth, and Kerry expects to become a full-time carer when her maternity leave ends.

As such, Nathan's mum Deborah Sharpe is hoping for a big turnout at a charity night she is holding in Morgan's honour.

She is the landlady of the Moonrakers pub in Cricklade Road and said: "I am holding a fundraising evening in the Crossways Suite on Friday to raise money for Morgan's medical bills.

"We are always doing charity nights here and we really need to focus on ourselves this time.

"The players at Swindon Town have auctioned a shirt for us and the group High Voltage are reforming to play a gig for us.

"We have been overwhelmed with generosity and we want to pass that on to Nathan and Kerry.

"Tickets are only £5 and there will be a raffle and disco."

To get hold of a ticket call Deborah Sharpe on 01793 721017.