Rocco's Operation

My son has had health issues his whole life. When he was a baby he had problems breastfeeding and ended up having to stop due to weight loss at about 12 weeks old. He had "reflux" symptoms which meant he screamed inconsolably for most of the day and night for his first few months of life (which was a major contributor to my PND). He had constant wind for his first year which caused him pain and now still wakes most night with a gassy tummy. He has now had his two top and bottom teeth come through with a gap (and the bottom ones angled inward). He has now begun talking and struggles with many sounds. He can't eat particular foods and can't drink water from a glass.

I spent a year and a half seeking help from midwives, GPs (I was there once a week when he was young) and specialists but it wasn't until he was 18 months old that he had a posterior tongue tie and lip tie diagnosed. We saw a Lactation Consultant for my other son when he was a week old (who also had a PTT and LT) who looked at Rocco.

We have seen a LC and Dr in Palmerston North who advised us that Rocco will need to be put under a general anaesthetic to have the ties corrected due to the nature of the tongue tie, the large veins either side and because of his age. We are now working alongside a LC and Dentist in Wellington and have been told it will cost $1100 for the theatre room, $400-$700 for the anaesthetist and $700 for the Dentist to perform the operation.

I attempted to go through the public system but have been dismissed. I also was in touch with WINZ but was told we don't qualify for Financial Hardship and I have also been in contact with the hospital about paying it off but it has to be paid in full on the day.

As a single income family with three children this is way beyond our means.