The parents of a baby boy who went through a double knee amputation are raising money so their son will have a chance at walking in the future.

Little Oscar Connor from Mill End in Rickmansworth had an operation to remove both his legs on September 20.

His parents, Kayleigh Watson and James Connor, are trying to raise £8,000 to pay for prosthetic limbs and an adaptable bath and bed.

Kayleigh said Oscar, who will be two in December, was born without tibia bones in both his legs.

The toddler also struggles to eat and drink and needs to be connected to a drip for 14 hours every day.

He has undergone eight bowl operations and spent much of his infant life in hospital.

Kayleigh and baby Oscar

 

His mother said: “The doctors don’t know why he was born without tibia bones. My partner and I have undertaken some genetic tests to find out if it is hereditary.

“Doctors suggested it could be a genetic mutation which occurs at around four or five weeks, but nothing has been confirmed.

“It has been very hard. He was very poorly at six weeks old, he had a perforation of the bowl and he was in intensive care for three weeks. He was put on parenteral nutrition at the Royal London Hospital so he could be fed, which he still receives.”

“He then transferred to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for several bowel surgeries.”

Oscar’s family have been in and out of hospital since he was very young and his sister, Maisie, who is eight-years-old, has to spend a great deal of time with her grandparents.

Kayleigh said: “Maisie gets quite quiet and withdrawn if her brother is in hospital for a long time. But she’s so good, always trying to help him and carry him.

“Thankfully her school work hasn’t suffered.”

Kayleigh, Oscar and sister Maisie

 

Speaking about the amputations, Oscar’s mother said: “It was quite devastating, even though it was for a positive reason, but you cannot really process it until it happens.

“You struggle every day to get your head around it. Oscar seems to take it in his stride.

“After the operation, we struggled seeing him looking so different. You think you’re mentally prepared, but nothing prepares you for that.”

Oscar is still in recovery, but his mother said he is doing well.

Kayleigh added: “This was the only way he would have a chance of walking, he would have been wheelchair-bound unless we made the decision to give him prosthetic legs.

“Because he had a fixed knee, which means they don’t bend, the only way for him to have a better life was to have the amputation.

“Even though I find it very sad, I also find it very positive because of all the friends and support we have received.

“I think it will make Oscar a better person. We have made him a memory box for when he is grown up.”

Kayleigh said once Oscar’s legs are healed and he gets his first set of prosthetic legs his parents hope to transform their house making it more accessible for their son.

To visit Oscar’s JustGiving page, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kayleigh-watson-1?utm_id=108&utm_term=8Kg9Vy6bA&fbclid=IwAR1SdCWjlKzUK8VQtvTqBVftWu5mLCVuzJXMeN0M8vEdiwVoLufsAKGb_Ak

Kayleigh and Oscar