Napier City Rovers legend Fergus Neil and his wife Julia talk about baby Ardie’s brave health battle and the support that got them all through the ordeal. Video / Neil Reid
When Julia Neil and her footballing husband Fergus look lovingly at their adorable baby boy, it’s hard to comprehend his tough start to life.
Ardie James Neil was born prematurely on November 12, at 27 weeks’ gestation and weighing just 1.2kg.
He needed to be resuscitated and spent almost three months in hospital, including 50 nights in Wellington Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and a further 28 nights in Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s special care baby unit (SCBU).
Ardie also needed multiple Life Flight trips between Napier and Wellington and an oxygen breathing tube for the first 144 days of his life, including after he was discharged from hospital on January 29.
But almost six months on from his birth, he now weighs more than 6kg.
Ardie Neil – the son of Fergus and Julia Neil – was born at just 27 weeks. He spent 78 nights in hospital and was on an oxygen supply for 144 days.
“It is challenging, though, because you’re leaving your baby every single day, you know, and you’re going home to bed and he’s not there ... it took a toll.”
Fergus has impressed in his side’s strong start to the season, which includes winning the last five successive matches.
Fergus and Julia Neil with Ardie on the turf at Bluewater Stadium, home of Napier City Rovers. Photo / Neil Reid
The proud dad said it was surreal seeing how well Ardie was now, considering his tough start to life.
“We just love to see the little steps in the progress that he makes every week or every day. The little milestones, we just love to celebrate them.
“Given what he’s been through already, we’re loving seeing where he’s at now. He’s come out the other side, he’s flourishing. It brings joy to us to see where he’s at now.”
Ardie was flown from Napier to Wellington just hours after his early birth on November 12.
Ardie Neil - with his head and little hand showing - is embraced during his lengthy hospital stay. Photo / Supplied
A four-strong medical team resuscitated him after he was born, before the flight to Wellington’s NICU.
“At the time I was in shock,” Julia said. “And when I think about it now, it is scary.”
She joked her adorable baby had been “quite privileged to have four private flights”.
Ardie visits the changing rooms at Napier City Rovers with his parents. Photo / Neil Reid
The Neils have a lot of people they want to thank for caring for both Ardie and them during such a stressful time.
Their families had offered huge support during Ardie’s lengthy stay in hospital and now back home as well.
They also want to thank the medical teams at NICU and SCBU and the crew of the Life Flight aircraft.
“You don’t realise what the medical teams do until you’re in that situation,” Julia said.
“Whether it’s the ambulance driver, the pilots, the nurses, the doctors or the specialists ... it’s just incredible what they do. They’re really amazing.”
Fergus added the family would forever be “so grateful” for the dedication and support of the various medical experts who cared for Ardie.
Napier City Rovers defender Fergus Neil unleashes his traditional flying kick celebration after his side scored in their 3-0 Central League win over Stop Out in Napier on April 14. Photo / Neil Reid
“We’ll certainly be telling him some stories that he won’t remember, of the nurses and doctors that helped him,” he said.
“It would be impossible to forget some of those people.”
Napier City Rovers defender Fergus Neil - second from left - is one of the club's modern-day legends. Photo / Neil Reid
The couple will never forget the support they received from the club when they needed it most, including a fundraiser at the Rovers’ annual Christmas party.
That included fundraising photos with Santa – an initiative from reserve goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach Kyle Baxter and his wife, Andrea.
The Neils couldn’t make it to the event but Julia said it was an “emotional day” as she and Fergus received updates.
They “felt the love” from the Rovers – one of New Zealand’s most successful football clubs – and it was hard to find the words for how thankful they were.
Footballer Fergus Neil and his wife Julia say they can't thank friends, family, medical staff and the Napier City Rovers community enough for the support and love directed their way. Photo / Neil Reid
“It shows what the club is all about. It’s a club full of great people that like to do things for others. [What they did] just sums us up really, as Napier City Rovers.
Neil Reid is a Napier-based senior reporter who covers general news, features and sport. He joined the Herald in 2014 and has 30 years of newsroom experience.
