WHITBY -- Baby Wyatt was born two weeks prematurely, after a normal pregnancy and delivery.
So it was a shock to the newborn's family that he would be an almost permanent hospital resident. Now a year old, Wyatt has spent more than nine months of his short life at the Hospital for Sick Children.
His health problems are many: he has a congenital heart defect, a genetic problem that affects his immune system and a litany of difficult-to-pronounce ailments. In his young life he has had five open-heart surgeries and countless other tests and procedures.
The ordeal has been hell for the family, said Wyatt's aunt, Laura Celsie.
"My sister and I are very close," she said. "We've always lived close together. Toronto doesn't seem far, but it is."
The ordeal has been particularly hard on Wyatt's mother, Lisa Celsie, who has been living in Sick Kids with her son, Ms. Celsie said. Lisa is by Wyatt's side all the time, Ms. Celsie said.
When Wyatt is in the critical care unit, like he is now, Lisa Celsie lives out of her car. Food and parking are expensive in the downtown core.
Ms. Celsie said she used to be able to visit her nephew all the time, but now her maternity leave is over and she is only able to head to Toronto three times a week.
"It's been a difficult adjustment," she said.
Ms. Celsie will be running a golf tournament to raise money for Wyatt and the Sick Kids Foundation on June 7 at the Newcastle Golf Course. Tickets are $130 and include a round of golf, a cart and a steak dinner. Tickets for dinner only are $30. There will be raffles, a meat roll and a putting contest. Anyone interested in participating can call Ms. Celsie at 905-425-0329 or by e-mail at
wyatts-warriors@hotmail.com.
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