Poppy's Story

Meet Poppy Rose

Poppy Rose was born on 25th November 2025, after an emergency C-section. Her mum, Amy, only saw her for 20 seconds before she was whisked away, Poppy was missing part of her oesophagus, and had a blockage in her tummy. She would need to be taken to Newcastle for surgery, while Amy had to wait to recover before an ambulance could bring her to her daughter's side.

THE DIAGNOSIS

Poppy was taken to Newcastle for the TOF operation on her oesophagus, alongside surgery for the blockage in her tummy. Amy followed as soon as she could, and the family spent those first hours consumed by fear and uncertainty, not knowing what they were facing, and not yet knowing whether Poppy also had Down syndrome. Poppy came through that first operation showing exactly the grit and determination that would carry her through everything ahead.

The Struggle

Poppy's breathing continued to struggle, and at seven weeks old she was moved to intensive care. After further operations, it was eventually decided she would need a tracheostomy. Amy and her husband Mikey began "trachy training," learning suctioning, dry and wet circuits, oxygen, and NG feeding, all while Mikey, a self-employed builder, hadn't been able to work in months. The family's savings were disappearing, and they even considered whether they might have to sell their home.

Throughout it all, Poppy became known on the ward for her beautiful smile and bright personality, even in the hardest moments.

How Louie's Helped

That's when Amy met Shannon from Louie's, who came to her bedside. Louie's provided cots with gaps for Poppy's oxygen tubing, monthly grants, and essential household items, along with shopping vouchers and regular check-ins, always there to listen. They later helped cover Hermione's final nursery fees, and her school uniform costs as she started school. Louie's also provided a battery pack for Poppy's tracheostomy suction machine, so the family could travel longer distances without the worry of needing an emergency hospital trip.

Amy says they couldn't have done it without Louie's, without that support, they may well have had to sell their home.

Where They Are Now

Poppy is now off oxygen, no longer NG fed, and thriving with her tracheostomy. The family are finally able to spend time together in the garden of the beautiful home they once feared they'd have to sell, the home they'd bought as a family project, just months before Poppy was born.

It was that close. That's a reality many families face without support like this, the added strain of losing not just time together, but the very home they've worked so hard for. The family remain extremely grateful for Louie's continued support, then and now.