Gabriel got to turn on the Christmas lights at the hospital (Image: ECHC)

Scots baby switches on Christmas lights at hospital he's called home since birth

by · Daily Record

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A baby boy switched on the Christmas lights at a hospital he’s called home since birth. Gabriel Sebastian has never been to his family home and has spent the entire 17 months of his life at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Children and Young People.

The tiny tot was given just a 50 per cent chance of surviving the birth after being diagnosed with Spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia whilst in the womb. The one-in-a-million condition has impacted the development of his bones and caused Gabriel to be born with issues in his spine, ribs, arms and legs.

Doctors are unsure if Gabriel will ever be able to breathe on his own. Mum Teena Thomas said: “At our five-month scan, the image of our baby boy flickered onto the screen. And everyone stopped talking... Something was wrong.

Gabriel was diagnosed with an ultra-rare condition (Image: ECHC)
Gabriel is unable to breathe on his own (Image: ECHC)

“We were told his bones weren’t really there, his spine barely developed, his tiny arms and legs too short. And there was a 50 per cent chance that he would be stillborn.

“We prepared for the worst but clung to hope. We bought a Moses basket, decorated his room. We thought, ‘We’ll be in hospital maybe five days, then he’ll come home.’ He was born on June 2, 2023. We’ve been living here ever since."

Mum Teena, 32, added: “When Gabriel was born, they didn’t put him on my chest, didn’t even wait to clean him. I got to touch his tiny finger - then they scooped him up and ran. He was taken to intensive care and immediately intubated.

Gabriel keeps smiling throughout his treatment (Image: ECHC)
Doting parents Teena and Paul have been by his side in hospital for 17 months (Image: ECHC)

“X-rays, endless tests, an MRI for his head and spine – every day a new worry. His chest was too small, his ribs underdeveloped, his lungs battled for every breath. The ventilator kept him alive but took his voice – he couldn’t even cry."

Medics were forced to operate on the sick baby when he was just two months old after he was left unable to breathe. In the months since then, Gabriel has been back under the knife several times, but the brave tot keeps soldiering on.

Teena said: “Gabriel’s smile is the most powerful thing. Through every invasive operation, every painful procedure, every heart-wrenching emergency, he comes back smiling. And that keeps us going.”

The hospital has been lit up for Christmas thanks to Gabriel and Hibs captain Joe Newell (Image: ECHC)

Parents Teena and Sebstian Paul, 32, were joined by Hibs captain Joe Newell on Sunday, November 25, as Gabriel got to press the big button and illuminate the hospital grounds, including a 20ft Christmas tree. Teena paid a heartfelt thanks to the hospital charity who allow Gabriel to “play, laugh and have moments of happiness."

Teena paid tribute to the hospital, she said: “We are honoured to have Gabriel switch on the Christmas lights for Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity. We’ve missed out on so much of what it is to be a ‘normal’ family.

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“Gabriel’s future is uncertain. We don’t know if he will ever breathe on his own. We don’t know if he will speak or eat. But we do believe he will be with us. If you’re heading home this Christmas, please spare a thought for children like Gabriel who will be in hospital instead this year.”

Pippa Johnston, Deputy CEO at Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity, said: “We would like to say an enormous thank you to Gabriel and his wonderful family for helping to make the hospital’s Christmas light switch on so memorable. They are a remarkable family and Gabriel is a little star in every sense of the word.

You can donate to Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity's Christmas appeal here.

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