“It’s scary. It’s terrifying. You don’t know what is going to happen.”

Nice years ago, Danielle Gee gave birth to her baby, Cash.

Everything seemed fine until doctors noticed his head wasn’t shaping like other babies.

 

“His head was not round after giving birth. His head always looked weird, so it wasn’t too odd. But after one month the head should be reformed,” his mother said.

 

Doctors diagnosed cash with craniosynostosis when he was just one month old. 

 

Craniosynostosis is a birth defect in infants.

 

It’s when the fibrous joints between the bones and the baby’s skull close up before the baby’s brain is fully formed. 

 

So at just four months old, Cash has to undergo surgery what required doctors to cut and remove a one-inch strip from his skull.

“It was terrifying. I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t know where to turn,” Danielle said. “I couldn’t find anything online. It was so lonely and you don’t know where to turn and you just feel alone in this.”

 

Cash did survive with no complications. The only sign left is his zig-zag scar. 

 

“He’s an amazing child and he’s just like every other kid. His only difference is his scar,” she said.

 

This healthy and happy 9-year-old is now raising awareness with his parents about craniofacial birth defects. 

 

“I feel really happy because I don’t want other kids to be teased about it,” the boy said.

His parent day they’re sharing their story now in order to help other parents know they are not alone. 

 

“Every time I see a woman with a baby with a helmet, I just want to walk up and tell her it gets better.” Danielle Gee said. “You’re not alone. It’s just a moment in time and it does get better.”