Talia Oatway: Sons 20 Surgeries Due to Apert Syndrome

' ex, Talia Oatway, has revealed their son Oakley has had 20 surgeries in his short life as she shared a heartfelt post to Instagram on Wednesday.

Reality star Aaron, 38, welcomed Oakley, three, with Talia, 33, in 2022, and their son was diagnosed with Apert Syndrome at birth.

The describes Apert Syndrome as 'a type of complex craniosynostosis that affects the skull, hands and feet,' with bones fusing together before birth.

Taking to her social media, doting mother Talia explained that it had been an 'emotional week' as she posted a snap of her toddler in a hospital bed.

She wrote: 'I speak so highly of phycology, I still have mine even now. Every hospital stay is more trauma I have to overcome. 

'It's ok to cry and it's ok to be angry. It doesn't mean we aren't coping. Us medical families are doing our best. [sic]

'Been another emotional week, I'm lucky I have people in the NHS who listen to me when I no [sic] something isn't right. Having a child with complex needs who can't communicate can be difficult.

'I've had to learn any change, any sign he gives me can have an impact on my son being in hospital resulting in another operation.

'I'm 3 years and I'm still trying understand a hell of a lot. The medical world isn't for the faint-hearted. Living in constant fear.

'I believe in a mother's instinct so much and I've never been proved wrong with Oakley. I no (sic) I post to show you guys some sort of reality that us medical families live.

'Some days you see no light at the end of the tunnel. I said to a consultant today I just with my son could actually enjoy his childhood.

'20th surgery for a 3 year old.. you are my inspiration.'

Talia regularly takes to social media to share updates on Oakley's health and has claimed Aaron has 'zero interest' in his son's health.

In November, Talia told how Oakley had also been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a build-up of fluid in the brain, which can damage tissue. Doctors have put a shunt into Oakley's brain to drain the fluid.

If untreated, hydrocephalus can be fatal due to increased pressure compressing the brainstem, which is responsible for regulating heart rate and breathing.

The mother-of-four shares children Romeo, six, Maddox, four, and Oakley with Aaron as well as daughter Siennah, ten, from a previous relationship.

She previously said: 'I do solo parent two of my children. Oakley's here every single night, he has been for over a year and the fact that this person can just go online and start talking about his medical care which he has zero interest in.

'He doesn't attend any appointments, doesn't attend hospital, is mind-blowing. Absolutely mindblowing.'

She continued: 'It is all fake and all for social media purposes. I come on here and show the reality of what it's like to solo parent two of my children as well as have another two children.

'I have four and solo parent two of them and the stress I'm under with hospital appointments, nurses, operations, MDTs, it's a lot and I'm doing it on my own, I'm literally doing it on my own and I've had enough.

'That one person thinks it's okay to puts my son's health stuff online which I haven't digested myself yet.

'Fair enough if I do it, because I'm the one that's parenting him and I've just had enough.

'I've had it up to here with pretending that everything is okay and that I'm doing it with someone else, when I'm not.'

The Daily Mail contacted Aaron's representatives for comment at the time.

Following Oakley's birth in 2022, Aaron and Talia revealed their 'little soldier' would be 'in and out of surgery for 18-24 months', with his mother staying by his side. Aaron and Talia split four months after the birth.

In August, Talia took part in an Instagram Q&A where she revealed their son may need a wheelchair soon and told how she often cries over his condition.

One fan wrote to her: 'You are a great woman, a strong, very strong, woman.', to which she replied: 'Thank you, I honestly don't think I'm strong. I am very emotional at times.

'I cry a lot especially in situations where I can't get my point across or when I'm overwhelmed.

'I have tried to hold my emotions in as much as I can especially when the kids are around.'

One fan then told how Oakley was doing 'amazing' as he walked on his own in a recent social media post.

She then replied saying: 'Ah thank you, he will only walk outside for a very very short time (like a few minutes) at home he walks more.

'The bones on the bottom of his feet are becoming more prominent, which is where I need to keep an eye on. A lot of Apert children require feet surgery and depend on wheelchairs at times.

'This is due to the bones on the bottom of their feet causing pain up to their backs. He really is doing amazing.'