A mother has shared the incredible story of her baby son, who was born with a rare condition causing part of his brain to bulge through his forehead in a fluid-filled sac, calling her thriving toddler a 'true miracle'.
The Shocking 22-Week Scan
For Hannah Sachs, 32, her pregnancy was progressing perfectly until the 22-week scan revealed a devastating abnormality. Doctors suspected her unborn baby had an encephalocele, a severe defect where part of the brain pushes through a gap in the skull.
"I was petrified I'd lose my child," Hannah admitted. She remained under intense medical monitoring for the remainder of her pregnancy, living with the constant fear of what was to come.
A Brave Fight for Life
Baby Liam arrived two weeks early in March 2023, born with a large sac of fluid on his forehead, which his family affectionately nicknamed his 'squishy'. He was immediately rushed to the NICU.
"Seeing him for the first time was a moment I'll hold on to forever," Hannah recalled. "He was beautiful, and his mere presence was a blessing. It was a complete rollercoaster of emotions."
After 13 days in hospital, Liam was discharged but needed oxygen at home. The relief was short-lived. Just a fortnight later, he developed severe hydrocephalus, a dangerous build-up of fluid on the brain. At just one month old, he underwent his first brain surgery to have a shunt fitted to drain the fluid.
"He was one month old and having his first brain surgery. It was tough to see him go through it," said his mum. "He was always proving to be so strong, at such a young age."
Major Surgery and a Lifelong Diagnosis
The biggest challenge came when Liam was six months old. In September 2023, he endured a gruelling 11-hour procedure to remove the encephalocele and reconstruct his skull.
Hannah explained, "Because of where the encephalocele was formed, it caused a lot of his skull to be deformed so they were able to correct a lot of that during this surgery as well."
His recovery was arduous, with his eyes swollen shut for a week. "Every single thing scared him because he couldn't see," Hannah shared. Despite the surgery's success, new concerns emerged. At ten months old, Liam was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a lifelong condition affecting movement and coordination.
"It wasn't a surprising diagnosis, but it's sometimes hard for us to fully grasp because it's a lifelong disability," Hannah said. "He will have CP for the rest of his life, as well as a shunt for hydrocephalus."
A Thriving, Happy Toddler
Now, after intensive therapy, Liam is defying expectations. He is walking, almost running, and saying words like 'mama' and 'dada'.
"He is so strong and resilient," Hannah beams. "Despite his limitations, he is adventurous and loves to push limits. He'll go down slides headfirst and loves to be outside."
He didn't walk unassisted until he was two, but his family celebrates every single win. "He proves people wrong daily," his proud mum stated.
Hannah concludes with a powerful message of love and acceptance: "This life is hard but so beautiful... He is imperfectly perfect in every way. This life is very different than what I thought it would be but it is more beautiful and rewarding than I ever thought possible. Liam is doing things on his timeline and in his own way. He is truly a miracle."
