A mum was told her baby might not survive following a devastating diagnosis – but he’s now thriving and “does so much more than what we’d been told” as the family look forward to Christmas together.
Taylor Hardie, 31, was like any other expectant mum when she went along to a routine 20-week scan with her husband Greg.
She was pregnant with their second baby, and they had been trying to grow their family for a long time.
But the couple, from Cumbernauld, Scotland were lost for words when they were told their tot had spina bifida [an underdeveloped spine] and hydrocephalus [water on the brain].
The conditions occur when the spine and brain don’t develop properly in the womb, and lead to brain pressure, requiring lifelong management as well as posing challenges for those who have it.
The couple were devastated.
“During the scan, the room went silent and my heart was racing,” Taylor told Need To Know, recalling the moment she was told her little boy Jude had the condition.
“After what felt like forever, we were given the news that our baby had spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
“I was stunned.”
Taylor and Greg were told their unborn son might not survive birth and that his quality of life would likely be poor, back in 2022.
Reeling from the news, Taylor did some research online and found Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland’s website.
There, she saw pictures of children with spina bifida smiling, thriving, and doing all the things people told her that her child would never do – giving her hope for the future, which turned out to be warranted.
Jude is now thriving and Taylor says: “ He does so much more than what we’d been told in the sense of crawling, he climbs chairs, he climbs up things.
“He’s so determined.
“He loves being very independent.
“He’s just full of character.”
When Jude was born, his first visitor was his proud big brother Theo, who was four years old at the time.
Taylor said: “When they met for the first time, it was a moment I’ll never forget.
“It was so incredible – it was just love right away between the two of them.
“And Theo has been a protective big brother from then and it has just continued.
“Theo is amazing with him.”
Theo and Jude’s close bond continues to this day, and Theo has fundraised to help his little brother, raising vital funds for SBH Scotland.
He also separately fundraised for a wheelchair from America for Jude, so they could play together.
Theo was awarded the Young Fundraiser Award at the Pride of Scotland Awards earlier this year.
The support from SBH Scotland has continued as Jude, now three, has grown.
His mum said: “When I got in touch with the charity, the first thing they said was ‘congratulations.’
“I can’t tell you how much it meant to hear that.
“With SBH Scotland you have that support of someone being your voice when you’re like ‘I actually can’t do much more.’
“Having that support is second to none.
“They gave me hope when I needed it most.”
The family enjoy SBH Scotland’s Family Groups, and the family outings that SBH Scotland organise, including the recent Christmas party near the charity’s family support centre in Cumbernauld.
Taylor said: “When Jude goes to SBH Scotland’s Groups and social events, he’ll say ‘that’s like me!’
“He gets to spend quality time with other children who use wheelchairs and walking aids at these activities, and he feels connected and included.
“Greg and I can share experiences with other parents – that solidarity is so important.”
SBH Scotland’s fundraising appeal offers a chance to raise vital funds to help the charity continues to provide life-changing support to families across Scotland.
She added: “Jude and my family rely on SBH Scotland’s support and by donating to the charity’s Christmas appeal, it means there will still be someone there to talk when mums like me need it most.
“You are standing with children like Jude and families like mine, giving us the strength to be unstoppable.”
