A little light for Ocean

After a traumatic start to life and an ongoing battle with serious health challenges, three-year-old Ocean has found calm and comfort in small but powerful ways – thanks to a thoughtful gift from Satan’s Little Helper

Ocean was born fighting. Arriving three months early and weighing just 585 grams – around the same as a block of butter – she spent her first 112 days in NICU, battling pneumonia and enduring more medical interventions than many adults face in their lifetime.

Now four years old, Ocean continues to be presented with new challenges.

“This year she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which affects her lower limbs,” says her mum, Tracy.

More recently, a series of frightening setbacks tested the family even further. After being attacked by a dog, Ocean needed stitches. Not long after, she broke her leg. Then, in late May, what first seemed like a viral cough took a dangerous turn.

“She was put an induced coma and flown to Starship Hospital ICU,” Tracy explains. “She was intubated, spent 10 days in ICU, then three more days on the ward before we came back to Christchurch Hospital.”

Ocean is still in recovery – weaning off morphine, regaining strength and learning to eat, drink, and move with confidence again. Her family is using a loaned wheelchair, while they search for a permanent option that’s both suitable and affordable.

A chance to be childlike

To bring a moment of lightness during a difficult time, Satan’s Little Helper gifted Ocean  a tablet to help her relax and escape during long hospital stays, and a family pass to one of her favourite places – Willowbank Wildlife Reserve.

“The tablet has helped her a lot in hospital,” says Tracy. “It’s helped to ease the stay. There aren’t many programmes on the TVs here for kids to watch.”

For a child who’s endured so much in medical environments, the chance to watch her favourite nursery rhymes – to feel like a typical four-year-old – has been grounding.

“It has brought us both a lot of joy,” says Tracy.

When she’s well enough to go out, Ocean’s favourite thing is visiting the animals at Willowbank.

“She loves the monkeys there,” says Tracy adds.

Uncertain journey

Ocean’s family is doing everything they can to support her mobility and independence – but the road is long, and the needs are constant.

But for now, there are bright spots. There is music, colour and the gentle flicker of her favourite shows. There are family outings with giggles and monkeys and time spent outside a hospital room.

And there is Ocean herself – still smiling, still fighting, and still lighting up the world around her.