Piper-Kohl Kelly Little British girl with spina bifida Date of Birth: 01.01.2018 Country: Great Britain

1. Piper-Kohl Kelly: A British Baby's Journey with Spina Bifida
2. The Diagnosis and the Search for Hope
3. Post-Operative Care and Premature Birth
4. A Long Road to Recovery
5. Progress and Gratitude
6. Spina Bifida: A Serious Condition
7. Fundraising for the Future
8. A Message of Hope

Piper-Kohl Kelly: A British Baby's Journey with Spina Bifida

In a remarkable medical journey, a British couple defied odds to give their daughter, Piper-Kohl Kelly, a fighting chance against spina bifida.

The Diagnosis and the Search for Hope

At 20 weeks of pregnancy, Georgia and Tyler Kelly received the devastating news that their unborn child had spina bifida, a condition where the neural tube in the spinal cord fails to close properly. The couple was told that only one surgeon in the United Kingdom could help, but lacked experience in this specialized procedure.

Undeterred, they sought out Dr. Thomas Kohl in Germany, who had successfully performed the surgery in the past. At 26 weeks, Georgia underwent the pioneering operation, using a fetoscope to insert a collagen patch along Piper's spine.

Post-Operative Care and Premature Birth

Following the surgery, the couple returned home to rest until Georgia's due date in October. However, six weeks later, she went into premature labor. Piper-Kohl was born via emergency cesarean section at 30 weeks and four days, weighing just 3.6 pounds.

A Long Road to Recovery

The premature baby spent the next two months in neonatal intensive care before she was finally allowed to go home. Georgia and Tyler cautiously monitored her progress, knowing that it would be weeks before they could fully assess the success of the surgery.

Progress and Gratitude

As Piper-Kohl grew older, it became apparent that the surgery had been a success. She was able to sit up on her own and showed no signs of cognitive or motor issues. Her parents remained eternally grateful to Dr. Kohl, who they credit with saving their daughter's life.

Spina Bifida: A Serious Condition

Spina bifida is a birth defect that affects the spine, causing weakness or paralysis in the lower extremities. Traditionally treated with surgery after birth, prenatal treatment is becoming more common. However, approximately 40% of babies who undergo prenatal surgery still require a shunt to prevent fluid buildup in the brain.

Fundraising for the Future

Georgia and Tyler have launched a crowdfunding page to help pay for the expenses of Piper-Kohl's medical treatments. Their goal is to raise enough funds to pay off the loan they took out for the initial surgery.

A Message of Hope

The story of Piper-Kohl Kelly is a testament to the power of hope and the advances in modern medicine. Her parents' determination to find the best care for their daughter has given her a chance to live a full and healthy life.