Ashby Edmonds - who defied all odds to become a national swimming champion after surviving a life-threatening birth complication – has returned to Bristol Royal Hospital for Children to share his winning medals with staff.

At just six and a half days old Ashby had life-saving surgery at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC), part of University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW).

Ashby was born at Torbay Hospital. Although there were no complications during his mother’s pregnancy, during his delivery things quickly turned critical.

His mother, Sarah Edmonds, a teacher, said she knew something was wrong the moment Ashby was placed on her chest. She said: “He was very still. I put my finger under his nose and couldn’t feel him breathing.”

Doctors discovered Ashby had a congenital diaphragmatic hernia—a hole in his diaphragm that allowed his stomach and kidney to move into his chest and compress his heart and lungs. The condition had gone undetected during pregnancy scans.

The Neonatal Emergency Stabilisation Team from Plymouth transferred Ashby to the Neonatal Itensive Care Unit (NICU) at UHBW’s St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol.

Sarah, 50, added: “It was incredibly traumatic. Some of the babies on NICU at the same time as Ashby didn’t make it. We had to put our trust in the NHS at that moment.”

At six and a half days old Ashby was deemed strong enough for surgery to repair the hole in his diaphragm and place his internal organs back in their correct positions.

Sarah said: “We knew while he was on life support, he was at least safe. The wait for him to finish surgery was the longest time. When he came out of theatre the surgeon gave us the thumbs up, and my husband James just fell to his knees with relief.

“Being able to stay at Ronald McDonald House was such a help, we were so grateful.”

Following the operation Ashby remained on life support for several days while his parents, Sarah and James, waited to see if there were any other complications including brain damage.

At three and a half weeks old Sarah and James were finally able to take Ashby home to Devon to continue his recovery.

Ashby sees consultants from BRHC, twice a year and lives with lasting effects of the surgery including pectus excavatum, rib flare, and weakened stomach muscles.

Despite the challenges Ashby faced in the early days of his life, with the support of his family, his local GP and consultants from University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, and Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust, he has managed to live a normal life.

He started swimming competitively when he was nine-years-old, encouraged by his mum’s job as a swimming teacher.

Ashby won his first county championship medal at 11, and over the past four years has  won multiple competitions.

This summer Ashby won his first national championship. He came first in the Men’s 800m Freestyle for his age category at the Speedo Aquatic GB Next Gen Championship.

He is now ranking in the top 10 nationally with hopes to compete internationally next year.

Ashby said: “I like the freestyle races the most. This year I have been able to compete in the 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500 and the Open Water races.

“I really hope to compete in Lisbon.

“Swimming is a very exposing sport, so lots of people ask me about my surgery because they can see the scars and my rib flare as well.

“But I just tell them what I had surgery for when I was younger.

“The swimming community has been very supportive. I train with Mount Kelly Swim Squad and Torquay Leander Swimming Club and everyone looks out for each other.

“When I have my check-ups the doctors know I swim so they always make sure I can keep going.”

Sarah added: “For us the memory of those early days is a trauma we carry with us, but we’ve been incredibly fortunate. The NHS, our consultants, and his coaches have given Ashby the chance to thrive.”

Ashby recently visited Bristol Royal Hospital for Children to share his newly won medals with the team.

Martin Gargan, Clinical Chair for UHBW’s Women and Children’s division said: “It is wonderful to hear of Ashby’s swimming success after overcoming so much in his early life.

“Good luck for next season, Ashby, the teams at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and St Michael’s Hospital will be cheering you on!"