Jasmine Snelling, from Basildon, recently gave birth to her daughter Elsie Smith who was born with holoprosencephaly – a complex life-limiting genetic disorder which has kept her in and out of hospital for weeks.
However, the ten-week-old was intubated after suffering seizures on December 21 with the longest lasting 18 minutes – a “horrific” experience which saw her moved to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, London.
Hospitalised – Gracie Smith (Image: Jasmine Snelling)
While there with Elsie, Jasmine’s daughter Gracie Smith, seven, was also rushed to Basildon Hospital’s emergency department, suffering low oxygen, constant coughing and signs of pneumonia.
Doctors eventually discovered two collapsed lungs, forcing Gracie to also be admitted into intensive care.
The 26-year-old said: “We weren’t at home when Elsie had her seizures, it was absolutely heart-breaking and I was absolutely helpless on my end, I didn’t have a car to get back.
“It was horrible and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
“It was awful as a mum to watch my kids going through that.”
Care – Teddy Smith (Image: Jasmine Snelling)
Just one day later, one-year-old son Teddy was hospitalised with sepsis, forcing Jasmine to live between the London and Basildon hospitals over the Christmas and New Year period as her children battled serious health conditions.
Mother and daughter – Jasmine and Elsie (Image: Jasmine Snelling)
Though Teddy and Gracie are now home to recover, Jasmine remains at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital with Elsie who is having additional treatment for diabetes insipidus.
“When I got the call from my sister to say my son was in hospital, I saw red, and could only ask ‘what is going on’, it is shocking to see that three of my children were hospitalised like this,” Jasmine added.
As a stay-at-home mum, Jasmine does not work and her partner, Shane, has been forced to stay off work since Elsie was born to help look after the children, which has worsened the family’s financial situation.
Following the brutal ordeal, Jasmine wants to “give our children a very late Christmas celebration when we are all finally reunited” and has launched a fundraiser.
To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/elsierae-and-family