Morgan Gibbons’ family have launched an appeal to turn their garden into a safe zone. Mum Helen tells EMMA DUNN why her little boy is worth fighting for

AT just five years old, Morgan Gibbons has already overcome more than most people will in a lifetime.

The Brimble Hill Primary School pupil has Down’s Syndrome and was born with two holes in his heart and no thumbs.

He has already undergone 27 operations in his short lifetime, one of which saw him have half of his skull removed after the bone became infected, meaning he has to wear a safety helmet to avoid damaging his brain.

Morgan’s mum, Helen, of Penhill, said: “He has got so much wrong with him and I panic every time we go to hospital.

“When he has surgery I am always absolutely petrified, it scares me. Until I know he is okay I won’t eat, I won’t do anything. I’m his mum – I’m going to worry, it’s in my blood.

“I have loved him from the moment I found out I was pregnant. He is the love of my life. I love him so much and I will do anything to make his life easier and to protect him.”

Morgan was born four weeks premature at Great Western Hospital on July 1, 2008.

Scans before he was born had not suggested he would have any disabilities.

“They told me he was sucking his thumbs and his heart was brilliant. They told me he had cone head, but that was it,” said Helen.

Morgan was born by emergency caesarean after his heart rate dropped.

“When he was born, the nurse was counting his fingers and went ‘1, 2, 3...oh’. Then she said to my then-husband ‘he’s got no thumbs’,” said Helen.

“The only thing I could think was ‘how is he going to count?’ and ‘how is he going to hold things?’”

Morgan was cared for in the special care baby unit at Great Western Hospital, where they told Helen they thought he had Down’s Syndrome.

“I didn’t see him for a week because he was in SCBU and I couldn’t get down there because of the caesarean,” she said.

“All I had was a tiny picture. When I went there and held him for the first time I looked at him and just thought ‘I’m his mum’.

“I’m still like that now. You can’t tear me away from him. I’m very protective of my son.”

Morgan has had surgery to allow him to use two of his fingers like thumbs. He is unable to hear low tones, has recently had two cataracts and has undergone heart surgery.

He also has to take his food and medicine through a tube as he suffers from reflux, which means he can’t feed through his mouth.

Morgan started at Special Tots in Middleleaze when he was about eight months old, and now attends Brimble Hill Primary School three times a week.

“Everyone he meets loves him – old people and young people. He’s got a way with the ladies too,” said Helen, with a smile.

Morgan’s stepdad, Mark Willis, and Helen are appealing for help so they can convert their garden into a safe zone for Morgan to play without putting himself at risk.

Helen said: “It would make such a difference. It would mean he could play outside without me having to constantly supervise and be worried about him.

“It’s his birthday in July and we would love to be able have his party outside.

“We don’t have the money to pay for everything he needs and, while the council have been very helpful and done what they can, they don’t have the funds to kit the whole garden out.

“Morgan has been through a lot and the constant trips to the hospital get him tired. I think this would be such a benefit for him. We would be so grateful for anything we can get.”

To complete the garden, the family need building materials like  concrete, bricks, as well as soft play items and the manpower to put things together.

They are being helped by local councillor Paul Baker (Lab, Penhill and Upper Stratton) as well as the Tesco store in Ocotal Way.

It is hoped the garden will have a swing with a special safety harness, a slide, and sensory equipment.

Helen, who is Morgan’s full-time carer, said she is optimistic about the future.

“I hope for him to have a brilliant life and for him to enjoy every moment of it. I want him to have fun and for people to be nice to him.

“I don’t want people to just see his disability. I want them to see him as a person and for him to have lots of friends,” she said.

Thanks to the efforts of the Tesco store in Ocotal Way, fundraising for the garden has now reached more than £1,100.

A landscape gardener has volunteered to help, but they are still looking for more people to help complete the garden – even if people can only spare an hour or two.

The council is providing two skips and a digger free of charge.

Tesco Community Champion Michelle Hobbs said the family approached them and they were happy to help.

She said fundraising is ongoing, and they are keen to hear from anyone who can donate time or materials.

For more details or to donate, call Michelle on 07547 956406 or Coun Baker on 07984 816293.