Taylor's Journey

"My name is Taylor Junior Herewini, I am 2 years old and I live with Bronchiectasis."

Taylor was born in Waihi, Waikato on the 07 of June 2014 weighing a massive 10lb 10. He always had something not quite right with his breathing, his first chest infection was at 3 weeks old and he was admitted into Tauranga hospital requiring ICU and breathing support. At 3 months old Taylor was intubated and airlifted to Starship Hospital where he spent 9 days ventilated. Since then Taylor has required 68 hospital admissions and 11 ICU admissions due to his breathing, he was diagnosed BX at 8 months old and is now on twice a day inhalers and physio (percussion). Taylor is also fed all liquids through a tube in his nose due to aspiration (when the liquids go into the lung instead of stomach) because his swallow is unsafe. Taylor is such a character he is the youngest of 3 boys, his two big brothers adore him. Taylor goes to home based Childcare 3 days a week for a few hours with very small numbers so he can learn to socialise with other children but also stays away from the germs that spread around at bigger centers, sometimes he has to wear masks across his face to protect him from bugs but he is used to this and it doesn't bother him anymore. He loves the outside and we are also encouraged to keep him active to help his condition, he loves trucks, cars, cartoons animals and playing with other kids. It's extremely hard to manage hospital admissions, Doctors appointments, medications, inhalers, physio along with working and spending time with the other children but we do it because without these things Taylor's condition will deteriorate. Things are getting better for Taylor and we are enjoying seeing him grow and thrive into a active young boy.