Jonty's journey

25/8/2023

Emma is a very proud mum to Jonty who has been attending The Champion Centre for nearly 4 years. Through Emma’s work, she knew what the Champion Centre did in her community even before she reached out for our Early Intervention Services on a more personal level.

Emma shared that Jonty is an ‘IVF miracle’ who has beaten the odds many times. Following her 12 week scan, Emma was told there was a high likelihood that her baby had Down syndrome, and further testing confirmed this.

That very same day, Emma phoned Marguerite, one of the Family Support Team, for advice on how her whānau could attend The Champion Centre as soon as her child was born. Marguerite advised her of the next steps and said she would remain in touch. Emma and Sam knew that despite the challenges that lay ahead, they both wanted this baby and that they already had the support of The Champion Centre and both their families to help in the early years. Emma is so happy to have Jonty in her life. As she says: “I love and adore this kid”.

One of the most difficult days Emma recalls was during the first week she spent in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) with her new baby boy. He had to go through extensive tests that the family found very upsetting. They were very happy when the day came to leave NICU and take their baby home.

Jonty’s first visit to The Champion Centre came only a couple of months after his arrival into this world. He had a feeding tube and Emma was still coming to terms with all of the equipment she needed to carry around for a baby with additional needs. Emma said coming to the Centre and meeting other parents in a similar situation was great and made her feel much less isolated. She saw some parents who seemed to share the “survival mode” she was in and clearly understood the struggles she was facing. Emma has made long lasting connections with these parents. She also witnessed other parents with children a little older than Jonty, who were setting goals for them and reaching them with the help of the Champion Centre staff. This was something Emma dreamed of for Jonty. Of the team, Emma says: They are always so “welcoming and happy to see you” and they are an “extension of our family”.

The team continues to work in partnership with Emma and her whānau, to set goals for Jonty. Emma shared how quick he has been to achieve these and move onto the next milestone. In Emma’s view, it’s the team who enable and encourage Jonty and his family to “keep achieving” and continue to learn new things.

The Champion Centre’s Sign Language specialist, Liz has helped Emma and her family learn and continue to add to their sign language knowledge. Emma also mentions how the skills Jonty learns at The Centre can be adapted and applied to other areas of Jonty’s life. For example, some of the fine motor skills our Early Intervention Teacher Lisa demonstrates to Jonty at the Centre, like learning how to use a pair of scissors, now enables him to get crafty at home by cutting up old birthday cards. In addition, the skills he uses during ballet class are transferred from methods Rachel, our Occupational Therapist has taught him, like balance and waiting his turn. All of this supports Jonty’s growing confidence. While Jonty enjoys all aspects of the programmes on offer, he particularly adores music with one of our Musical Play Therapists, Victoria.

Emma’s whānau, particularly his grandparents, have been really supportive of their journey. For Jonty’s dad Sam, The Champion Centre is one of his favourite places to come, and Jonty’s older brother Xander loves his little brother dearly.

Emma hopes that by sharing her story with others, they can understand what a difference The Champion Centre is making to her family and the community around them.

Jonty turned 4 a couple of weeks ago and Emma tells us how he has become an incredibly capable little boy. As we are talking, Jonty has decided it is time to head home and he makes a run for the hallway. Emma says: “that giggle is what I live for”.

Thanks Emma for taking time to share Jonty and some of your journey with us ❤

Jonty playing at The Champion Centre with 2 of his best mates