4 year old has windpipe reconstructed and can now speak
  • 5 years ago
A four-year-old who underwent complex surgery to reconstruct his windpipe and allow him to breathe unaided has amazed his mum by speaking his FIRST word. Adorable Lyall Cookward brought mum Steph Ward to tears when he woke from the operation and uttered a word he has never been able to say before - "mummy". Lyall, who suffers from Down's Syndrome, suffered heart failure soon after birth and neeed a risky operation - but was then diagnosed with a rare lung condition and spent six months in intensive care. He was expected to be on a ventilator long-term for life - but the brave youngster came off the machine, although he still relied on a tracheostomy opening his windpipe to help him breathe. Although his airway had collapsed, Lyall's surgeon suggested out he could carry out a full reconstruction.
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