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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
Sofia Jayne

After an early, complex twin birth, every small milestone is a triumph

Twins Kash and Knox were born a month premature at just 33 weeks. Now they are two and are developing strong personalities of their own.

But the journey to get here has been tough and the road is still full of challenges.

Mum Hayley Chambeyron was setting up the nursery when she experienced sudden back pain. She went into hospital and was told she would need an emergency C-section.

Kash had descended into the birth canal and would need to come out immediately.

She was born with heart and muscle problems, as well as cerebral palsy, and would spend 29 days in intensive care.

Hayley Chambeyron, centre, carrying Kash, with Knox, far left, partner Jake, son Noah, and daughters Aubree and Payton. The family will Walk For Prems in Canberra this year. Picture by Elesa Kurtz.

Her twin brother, Knox, had a true knot in his umbilical cord blocking his access to oxygen and nutrients. It was Kash's quick exit that saved his life, but he would also spend 19 days in intensive care.

"Knox is my medically complex baby, so even though Kash has cerebral palsy, she kinda says 'stuff you' to cerebral palsy. She doesn't really let it impact her life," Ms Chambeyron says.

Knox on the other hand has 14 diagnosed conditions, with the biggest concern being his respiratory problems.

He is unable to consume liquids without it entering his lungs and must be fed through a tube in his abdomen, otherwise known as PEG feeding.

"We've learned to celebrate all the little milestones because if we didn't celebrate the little things, we might not have anything to look forward to," Ms Chambeyron says.

Knox (left) and Kash (right) cuddling, as they often did for hours. Photo supplied.

Ms Chambeyron and her family have been very lucky to receive support from organisations like Life's Little Treasures Foundation, which have this year asked Ms Chambeyron and her family to be their ACT ambassadors.

In October, the charity will be hosting their 15th Walk For Prems at nine locations around Australia, with the Canberra walk starting at 9.30am on October 20 at Rond Terrace.

Families are encouraged to bring picnic rugs and enjoy the children's entertainment, which this year will include a miniature railway, a magician, hula hoop competitions and jumping castles.

The charity event costs $20 to join and raises money for the 48,000 babies born prematurely in Australia each year.

Walk For Prems 2023. Photo supplied

Funding will go towards ensuring the 15 services that foundation provides can continue, which aims to bring families with babies in intensive care together and help them understand what organisations are out there to help them.

Families can also get access to $250 breakfast vouchers to make sure they're taking care of themselves while waiting long hours in hospital.

But to Life's Little Treasures chief executive Felicia Welstead, the walk is about more than just providing money and services. She says it represents the journey these families have been through.

"I think it's really symbolic to walk and to be amongst all of those people in Canberra who've been through this and to walk side by side with them," Ms Welstead says.

"On the day, we run a remembrance ceremony at each event and so we also remember all those little bubs that didn't make it.

"And you know, we stand together with those parents who are there and who are walking to remember their little one."

As a mother of two premature babies, Ms Chambeyron has found support from attending these walks.

"We're able to talk to people, we're able to relate to other families in very similar situations to us, so it's been nice to have a community and like another family to talk to," she says.

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