Rutherglen toddler can speak for the first time for Christmas

Dec 19 2012 by Will Henshaw, Rutherglen Reformer

A Rutherglen family are set for their best Christmas ever – as they can now hear their two-year-old son’s voice for the first time.

Little Lloyd Wray suffers from a rare congenital disorder and had been breathing from a tube inserted into his neck.

Parents Brian and Donna Wray, of Calderwood Road, had not heard the sound of their son’s voice because of the tube.

However, earlier this month it was decided that Lloyd was capable of breathing on his own and the tube was removed.

Now his delighted parents are looking forward to the first Christmas when they will hear their son’s voice as he opens his presents.

Up until the tube was removed, Donna had never heard Lloyd laugh or cry.

“We’ve heard his voice for the first time in two and half years,” said the delighted mum. “You couldn’t ask for a better present for Christmas.”

Lloyd was born on June 23, 2010, and was home for less than two months before being admitted to Yorkhill with a chest infection.

He had not been putting on weight and underwent a brain scan which revealed that he had Treacher Collins Syndrome, a rare disorder found in about one in every 50,000 births.

As a result, the youngster underwent a tracheostomy in which a hole was made in his neck and a tube inserted. The procedure is carried out to assist breathing.

And although the tube helped greatly, it came with complications.

Donna and Brian had to use suction equipment to remove thick mucus and secretions from Lloyd’s airways several times a day. It also made Lloyd more susceptible to colds, and the family were reluctant to take him out in the colder weather in case he sustained an infection.

Two weeks ago the tubing was removed after doctors decided Lloyd was strong enough to breath on his own.

Donna added: “When the consultant told us he was getting the tube out we were delighted and couldn’t believe it.

“ Lloyd has been great and has had no qualms about it at all. He’s taken it in his stride. He’s a strong wee boy. He sleeps a lot better at night since we used to have to suction him, right through till morning. He snores now, but that’s about it!”

The Wrays are going to have their whole family with them at Christmas and it’s set to be the best yet.