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Brothers born with rare heart defects on the mend after complex surgery

09 June 2024 , 21:39
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The lads
The lads' parents said they had helped each other through high-risk hospital stays

TWO brothers born with different life-threatening, one-in-ten-million heart defects are battling back.

Lennox Crook, five, and Sonny, three, both needed complex surgery when they were just days old.

Brothers Lennox Crook and Sonny, pictured in their England kits, both needed complex surgery when they were days old eiqrtixxiqutprw
Brothers Lennox Crook and Sonny, pictured in their England kits, both needed complex surgery when they were days oldCredit: Ian Whittaker
Big brother Lennox, five, had his main aortic valve replaced
Big brother Lennox, five, had his main aortic valve replacedCredit: Ian Whittaker
Mum Danielle comforts son Sonny, three, had two open-heart surgeries
Mum Danielle comforts son Sonny, three, had two open-heart surgeriesCredit: Ian Whittaker

But now the pair, pictured in their England kits ahead of the Euros, enjoy playing footie and riding bikes together.

Parents Danielle, 30, and Joe, 32, said the lads had helped each other through high-risk hospital stays.

Joe said: “We were told there was no genetic link and we had just been incredibly unlucky.”

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The Southampton couple were told Lennox had aortic stenosis — where the main aortic valve is too narrow — and he had it replaced.

They later found Sonny has another condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome, where the left side of the organ does not develop properly.

His big brother has helped him deal with two open-heart surgeries but he may need a transplant.

Joe added: “Lennox has always been there for him. Sonny loves ­riding his bike with him and playing football together. He does get more tired easily but he loves it.”

Tiny Tickers, a charity pushing for detection improvement, said: “It’s lovely that they are doing so well.”

Parents Danielle, 30, and Joe, 32, said the lads had helped each other through their hospital stays
Parents Danielle, 30, and Joe, 32, said the lads had helped each other through their hospital staysCredit: Ian Whittaker

Rachel Dale

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