IT SHOULD have been the happiest day of her life – but for one proud mum giving birth to her bonny baby boy led to a diagnosis of a terminal illness.
The daughter of a former Falklands War veteran, Sonia Baynhamfell into difficulties shortly after son Hayden arrived in the world, as she struggled to breathe, and then found herself unable to walk for no apparent reason.
After a series of hospital tests, she was diagnosed with a condition called pulmonary hypertension – a rare and life-threatening blood vessel disorder where the blood supply to the lungs is restricted.
The longest a patient can expect to survive with the illness is about ten years.
And yet, Miss Baynham, 22, of Lindley Road, Godstone, remains resolutely positive – and asking the community to support efforts to research the disease.
She explained: "Only a few thousand people in the country have this, and there is no known cure.
"I am one of four sisters. They have been wonderfully supportive since I got the news last year and there has not been a day that I have been left on my own.
"My condition has brought us all closer together."
Miss Baynham has to sleep with a nasal tube inserted supplying oxygen, and may need top-ups during the day if she feels particularly shattered.
And she struggles to do everyday things like walking upstairs – and baby Hayden, aged 14 months, can prove a tiring handful, leaving her particularly weak.
Her sister Clare, 33, who is a nurse at East Surrey Hospital, said: "This is such a rare condition that until recently very little was known about it.
"Sonia's survival rate could be roughly 10 years, but we were holding out hope that research will have developed in the meantime.
"She could eventually have a heart and lung transplant – but that really is a last resort.
"It is an uncommon and dangerous transplant which carries its own risks."
Her sisters arranged a family fun day, held at the Caterham Royal British Legion Club in Town End on July 13.
The event, which was opened by Caterham Town Crier Sonia Hunt, attracted more than 100 visitors.
It raised over £1,200 for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association which has assisted Miss Baynham with information and support.
And she hopes to arrange a charity ball in the near future for the same cause.
