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.
Ian WhittakerBrothers Lennox Crook and Sonny, pictured in their England kits, both needed complex surgery when they were days old[/caption]
Ian WhittakerBig brother Lennox, five, had his main aortic valve replaced[/caption]
Ian WhittakerMum Danielle comforts son Sonny, three, had two open-heart surgeries[/caption]
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.”
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.”
Ian WhittakerParents Danielle, 30, and Joe, 32, said the lads had helped each other through their hospital stays[/caption]