Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
By Glenn Campbell
07 June, 2017
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
By Glenn Campbell
07 June, 2017
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
By Glenn Campbell
07 June, 2017
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
By Glenn Campbell
07 June, 2017
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
By Glenn Campbell
07 June, 2017
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
By Glenn Campbell
07 June, 2017
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
By Glenn Campbell
07 June, 2017
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
By Glenn Campbell
07 June, 2017
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
Apryl Mitchell Darwin Photo Shoot
By Glenn Campbell
07 June, 2017
The first time Palmerston couple Ruel Mitchell and Kali Sachs heard of Pfeiffer Syndrome, Ms Sachs was 34 weeks pregnant with their first child.
Doctors sat them down and explained their daughter, Apryl, would be born with the rare genetic disorder — affecting one in 100,000 people.
Pfeiffer Syndrome is characterised by the fusion of skull bones.
Apryl has type two, which means her condition is severe and might lead to problems with her nervous system, limited mobility and affect her breathing.
Some people with type two Pfeiffer Syndrome have a reduced life expectancy, but with medical treatment Apryl is expected to live a normal life.
“We’d never heard of it,” Ms Sachs said.
“I just want her to have as normal a life as possible.”
The young couple was shocked by the diagnosis, likely missed because Apryl spent most of Ms Sachs’s pregnancy tucked under her ribs.
“I wouldn’t have aborted my pregnancy — that wasn’t an option,” she said.
“But I would have saved some money to go to Melbourne.
“We’re already struggling as it is — we only have one wage.”
Apryl was born in Melbourne on March 29 with a cloverleaf shaped head, blocked nasal passages, bulging eyes and joint issues.
She spent the first six weeks of her life in hospital in Melbourne, where she had the best shot at early treatment.
Now 11 weeks, the little fighter has a tracheostomy to help her to breathe — which will stay in place until most of her major operations are completed. 


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