San Diego (KGTV)- An Escondido family discovers new challenges in caring for their newborn diagnosed with Spina Bifida. He's finally home after staying in the hospital for months. The parents share the biggest hurdle is his continued care during the Pandemic.
In the first three months of his life, Baby Devin has experienced eight surgeries. Spina Bifida is a condition where his spine didn't fully close while in the womb.
"Devin is at a small percentage where he has Symptomatic Chiari, where it affects his ability to breath and swallow," says dad Jon Hoy.
Now at five months, little Devin is home from the hospital with his parents and three brothers, but he requires 24-hour medical care.
"He has a trache in his throat, and then he has a ventilator that helps him breathe," says Hoy. "The same ventilators that have become so crucial during COVID-19. He has G-tube to help him eat in his stomach."
Parents Jon and Erin Hoy say finding in-home care has been tough.
"These nurses need to be pediatric certified. They need to be trache certified and vent certified," says Mom Erin Hoy. "His level of acuity has just created a big barrier for finding nurses."
Due to COVID-19, there is an added level of caution for those who are around Baby Devin. Hoy says during her search for adequate help, she's learned, "there's a significant difference or pay difference between nurses in a hospital or a facility compared to nurses in home."
Hoy says they are still in need of nurses to help Devin around the clock, but they are grateful for the ones that have come in so far.
"There's always light that comes if you just hold on. We've experienced so much joy in the last seven days of him coming home."
Jonand Erinsay they are willing to connect with anyone who may be going through a similar pregnancy or experience. You can reach out to them via Facebook.
