Do you remember the ‘Coke can kid’? Here’s what he looks like today as he celebrates a heartwarming milestone
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When Jonathan Heeley was welcomed into the world, the words ‘Future unknown’ were scribbled onto his discharge papers.
His first bath was in a kidney dish and afterwards, he was wrapped in a handkerchief as a nappy. At the time, he weighed about 374 grams which is the same weight as a regular soft drink can, hence the famous nickname, ‘Coke Can Kid’.
After a scan revealed that he was suffering from severe growth delays and was surrounded by concerningly low levels of amniotic fluid in his mother’s womb, he was delivered by caesarean section and was 12 weeks premature.
And to this day, Jonathan still holds the title of Brisbane’s Mater Mothers’ Hospital smallest surviving premature baby.
His chances of survival were a bleak 5 per cent – so low that his mother was urged to have him baptised as soon as possible.
Baby Jonathan. Image Credit: syndeyaustoday, 7News
"To me, that was giving up on him. I thought that might mean that he's not going to survive so I just said: 'No, no we'll do it later’," Mrs Heeley, his hopeful mum said.
Despite being against the odds, baby Jonathan was a ‘fighter’ and was supported by an incredible team of medical experts at Brisbane’s Mater Mother’s hospital.
“They can remember the uniqueness of him – how little he was, how much of a fighter he was,” the hospital’s neonatology director and paediatrician Pita Birch reminisced.
“And they all felt they were on the edge of something special, really at the border of what we could do in neonatal care 30 years ago. I’m not surprised they managed to achieve what they achieved. But what they did back in those days was remarkable,”
“He’s left an imprint on the medical and nursing staff who cared for him,” he continued.
But Jonathan’s medical feats are only a tiny part of his story. Next month, he officially turns 30 and will continue to thrive in his happy and healthy life. He owns a home located in Hervey Bay and is in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend Tegan Baker.
He’s living a happy and healthy life. Image Credit: @syndeyaustoday, ABC
The formerly little ‘fighter’ has developed a passion for dancing as he operates his own dancing school, Hervey Bay Dance School, all the while juggling another career as a senior theatre technician.
“I had a 5 per cent chance of survival. More than likely, I probably shouldn't be here," Jonathan said.
"I take every day as a blessing. I'm very much living my life, doing what I want to do and making things happen for myself. I've been given this life which I'm really grateful for. I'm very motivated because of my past,"
The Heeleys are still undecided about what they are going to do for Jonathan’s 30th birthday but whatever they come up with, his wonderful mum is grateful for the ‘little surprise’ that she received decades ago.
Jonathan’s former neonatologist David Tudehope previously told Mrs Heeley: "There's a handful of premature babies in the world that have survived at his size and there's no reason why he can't be another one."
"That was what I clung to, it gave me hope," Ms Heeley said. “Jonathan made my life complete,"
Do you still remember Jonathan? What are your thoughts on his story? Share them with us in the comments!
Catch a glimpse of the ‘Coke Can kid’ at (almost) 30 by watching the video below:
Video Credit: 7News Australia
His first bath was in a kidney dish and afterwards, he was wrapped in a handkerchief as a nappy. At the time, he weighed about 374 grams which is the same weight as a regular soft drink can, hence the famous nickname, ‘Coke Can Kid’.
After a scan revealed that he was suffering from severe growth delays and was surrounded by concerningly low levels of amniotic fluid in his mother’s womb, he was delivered by caesarean section and was 12 weeks premature.
And to this day, Jonathan still holds the title of Brisbane’s Mater Mothers’ Hospital smallest surviving premature baby.
His chances of survival were a bleak 5 per cent – so low that his mother was urged to have him baptised as soon as possible.
Baby Jonathan. Image Credit: syndeyaustoday, 7News
"To me, that was giving up on him. I thought that might mean that he's not going to survive so I just said: 'No, no we'll do it later’," Mrs Heeley, his hopeful mum said.
Despite being against the odds, baby Jonathan was a ‘fighter’ and was supported by an incredible team of medical experts at Brisbane’s Mater Mother’s hospital.
“They can remember the uniqueness of him – how little he was, how much of a fighter he was,” the hospital’s neonatology director and paediatrician Pita Birch reminisced.
“And they all felt they were on the edge of something special, really at the border of what we could do in neonatal care 30 years ago. I’m not surprised they managed to achieve what they achieved. But what they did back in those days was remarkable,”
“He’s left an imprint on the medical and nursing staff who cared for him,” he continued.
But Jonathan’s medical feats are only a tiny part of his story. Next month, he officially turns 30 and will continue to thrive in his happy and healthy life. He owns a home located in Hervey Bay and is in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend Tegan Baker.
He’s living a happy and healthy life. Image Credit: @syndeyaustoday, ABC
The formerly little ‘fighter’ has developed a passion for dancing as he operates his own dancing school, Hervey Bay Dance School, all the while juggling another career as a senior theatre technician.
“I had a 5 per cent chance of survival. More than likely, I probably shouldn't be here," Jonathan said.
"I take every day as a blessing. I'm very much living my life, doing what I want to do and making things happen for myself. I've been given this life which I'm really grateful for. I'm very motivated because of my past,"
The Heeleys are still undecided about what they are going to do for Jonathan’s 30th birthday but whatever they come up with, his wonderful mum is grateful for the ‘little surprise’ that she received decades ago.
Jonathan’s former neonatologist David Tudehope previously told Mrs Heeley: "There's a handful of premature babies in the world that have survived at his size and there's no reason why he can't be another one."
"That was what I clung to, it gave me hope," Ms Heeley said. “Jonathan made my life complete,"
Do you still remember Jonathan? What are your thoughts on his story? Share them with us in the comments!
Catch a glimpse of the ‘Coke Can kid’ at (almost) 30 by watching the video below:
Video Credit: 7News Australia
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