A FAMILY has been blown away by community support as their five-week old daughter lies in the Bendigo Hospital.
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People have so far pledged close to $11,500 in support for parents Nicole and Tom Robinson as medical teams treat daughter Avahlee for a myriad of health conditions.
Avahlee survived multiple scares in the womb and was born with down syndrome, two holes in the heart, cataracts in both eyes, deafness in one ear and club feet.
Doctors last week sent her to Melbourne over concerns her heart was struggling to cope but were able to release her back to the Bendigo Hospital.
Avahlee is penciled in for a round of surgery in roughly three weeks and she likely will need more for other health conditions over the years to come.
Mrs Robinson said it had been a hard time but Avahlee had been amazing.
"She just takes it in her stride. Whatever happens, she is just a placid little girl," she said.
"We call her our little fighter - and our little miracle."
Both Mr and Mrs Robinson said they had been incredibly touched that 60 donors had so far pledged financial support through a GoFundMe page someone had set up to help make things a little easier for the family.
"It's amazing and it means a lot to us," Mrs Robinson said.
"It will set Avahlee up for her life. It will help with the contacts she will need once she has the cataracts removed from her eyes. She may have to have heart surgery too, but we will know that once she's a bit older."
Mrs Robinson had also been amazed at how much support had been offered to them as parents of a child who has down syndrome.
This October will be down syndrome awareness month.
The genetic condition occurs at conception.
People with down syndrome have an extra chromosome.
It means they may have different strengths and areas they need support, just like everyone else in the community, Down Syndrome Australia says.
That can mean they have some level of intellectual disability, some characteristic physical features, increased risk of some health conditions and some developmental delays.
Everyone with down syndrome is different and has their own skills and support needs.
For support or to learn more visit Down Syndrome Australia's website.
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