By Brendan Rees
When Liam Bradley Wilson was born prematurely at just 24 weeks and three days on 24 January 2019 he was given a baby elephant mascot labelled ‘small but mighty.’
“In the first three days of life he was labelled the smallest but not the sickest,” his mum Louise McNaughton of Lyndhurst said.
“The days after that so much changed and we were on the worst rollercoaster ride of our lives.
“On the 31st of January 2019, Liam grew his angel wings at 1.25pm safely nestled in his mummy and daddy’s arms,” she said.
The nurses, doctors and Ronald McDonald House were supportive during their stay.
In memory of their son, Lisa and her partner Kleat Wilson will take part in the Walk for Prems at Albert Park Lake on Sunday 27 October.
Thousands of families across Australia will walk together in support of the 48,000 premature or sick babies born in Australia every year.
It’s the largest annual fundraiser for the Life’s Little Treasures Foundation, Australia’s foremost charity dedicated to supporting the families of babies born sick or prior to 37 weeks gestation.
“Unfortunately for us our prem story is not a happily ever after, Liam was sadly one of the babies modern medicine couldn’t save,” Ms McNaughton said.
She has already raised more than $600 for Life’s Little Treasures Foundation in the lead up to the 5km walk and designed t-shirts which display ‘I’m a walk warrior.’
“I’m not a designer by trade but I’m giving it a crack,” she said.
Dr Simon Fraser, medical director with a private health insurer, said: “Prematurity can cause significant financial, emotional and psychological hardship to families … particularly if they have no supports,” she said.
