The day Aidan came home, 13 days old
When Aidan was 2, Christmas Eve – the very first time he ever ate solid food. It was my mother’s roast. We all pretended nothing unusual was happening, but the moment he turned his head, we were silently screaming at each other with excitement.
Aidan has always been passionate about the emergency services. He was even an honorary firefighter at the Fireman’s Challenge, where he captured hearts and “saved lives”. He even performed CPR, complete with chest compressions and rescue breaths.
Our beautiful Sabie joined our family on the 30th May 2018 and left us on the 28th May 2025
The scariest operation we’ve faced. Because Aidan’s metabolism is 50% faster than most kids, his pain meds wore off quickly, so he had to stay in Cardiothoracic ICU for two nights so they could monitor his heart and lungs closely.
Raising Aidan began as a fundraising “home business”, created so I could remain Aidan’s full-time caregiver while generating income and purpose. With a medically fragile child, maintaining a corporate career isn’t possible – so Raising Aidan became a lifeline. It allows me to work from home, create meaningful, functional products, and share our story – combining entrepreneurship, awareness, and advocacy. Raising Aidan officially started in 2011 with a microwave cake mix and a desperate need to pay for therapy. It grew into a beloved Facebook page and a fundraising movement.
Now in 2025, we’re relaunching with a new mission: to rebuild our lives after financial sabotage, domestic violence, and years of legal battles, and to share products and tools that helped us through it all.
We sell sensory-friendly kids’ products, downloadable play recipes, and speak out about surviving abuse, parenting with resilience, and raising children with complex needs. If you’ve ever struggled, or loved someone who has, you’ll find something here that speaks to you.
Aidan entered the world on 17 September 2009 under dramatic circumstances. Born via emergency C-section after going into distress during labour, we nearly lost him that day, but our little fighter had other plans.
His name, Aidan, means Fiery Little One, and he has lived up to that meaning every single day since.
From the start, Aidan has filled our lives with laughter and love. He has a wonderful sense of humour and a mischievous streak that keeps us on our toes.
On 30 March 2011, Aidan was diagnosed with a very rare genetic disorder called Costello Syndrome. With only around 400–600 known cases worldwide, and Aidan being just the second diagnosis in South Africa, little was known about this condition. Managing it has required a proactive approach, addressing symptoms as they arose and monitoring closely for potential complications.
Over the years, Aidan has faced many challenges with incredible courage. He experienced severe feeding difficulties after birth, developmental delays, and tight tendons in his hands and feet. To help improve his mobility, he received Botox treatments and wore plaster casts on his feet, which we affectionately called his “Fancy Boots.” Despite doctors saying he wouldn’t be able to walk in them, Aidan surprised everyone by taking steps the very next day.
He has already undergone multiple surgeries, including two on his feet, as well as operations on his spine and hip, along with several minor procedures. He continues to have regular abdominal scans to screen for potential tumours and routine heart scans to monitor his thickened left ventricular wall, a common characteristic of Costello Syndrome.
Through it all, Aidan’s determination, courage, and fiery spirit continue to inspire everyone around him. He reminds us daily that joy, strength, and love can shine even in the face of rare challenges.
I’m Melissa Botha, mom to Aidan, who was diagnosed with Costello Syndrome at just 18 months old. At the time (2011), he was only the second known diagnosis in South Africa, with roughly 400–600 known cases worldwide.
Costello Syndrome is an extremely rare genetic disorder that affects multiple systems in the body. Aidan is prone to cancer, requiring abdominal scans every three months to check for tumours. He also has a thickened left ventricle wall in his heart and numerous orthopaedic complications, including surgeries on his feet, spine, and most recently, his hip. He currently needs another operation to remove hardware from his hip, which we are actively raising funds for
I’ve lived through rare disease, narcissistic abuse, courtrooms, and school drop-offs with equal parts panic and humour. I believe in telling the truth, laughing through the pain, and building a better life with whatever tools you’ve got. Right now, I’ve got cupcake mix, bath bombs, and an unshakable will.
