Geordie Shore star Aaron Chalmers’s ex Talia Oatway reveals their son Oakley, three, may need a wheelchair and admits she is often in tears over his Apert Syndrome

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Aaron Chalmers’ ex-girlfriend Talia Oatway has shared another health update on their son.

Previously a member of Geordie Shore, now 38 years old, and Talia gave birth to their son, Oakley, during the spring season of 2022. At first, they chose to keep private the fact that he was diagnosed with Apert Syndrome.

After the birth of their son, Aaron (age 33) and Talia shared that their little one would require multiple surgeries over a period of 18-24 months. Through this challenging time, Talia remained by his side. However, they parted ways four months post-delivery.

The NHS defines Apert Syndrome as a form of intricate skull, hand, and foot abnormality called craniosynostosis, where certain bones join prematurely during fetal development.

This week, Talia participated in an Instagram question-and-answer session, during which she shared that their child might require a wheelchair in the near future and discussed the frequent emotional struggles she faces due to his health situation.

One admirer penned to her: “You are an exceptional woman, a truly powerful one.”, To this, she responded graciously: “I appreciate your kind words, but I must confess that I don’t see myself as strong. I can be quite 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 admirer recently shared that Oakley had been walking independently, which they found truly impressive, based on a post they saw on social media.

Later, she responded, saying, “Thank you, he’ll just step out briefly (for a few minutes), as he tends to walk more indoors.

Notice that the bones at the base of his feet are becoming more noticeable; these areas require my close attention.

‘A lot of Apert children require feet surgery and depend on wheelchairs at times.

The discomfort they feel is originating from the bones at the soles of their feet, which can radiate all the way up to their spines. Impressively, he’s managing very well indeed.

In May 2023, Talia unveiled the initial images of her child, Oakley, while talking about his unusual genetic condition and highlighting his remarkable resilience.

In December of last year, the pair-who already had two other kids together-made the announcement that they were separating, approximately four months following the birth of their youngest child, who faced significant health complications.

In a poignant social media post, Talia eventually disclosed that her son, Oakley (only seven months old at the time), had been born with Apert Syndrome – a fact she had previously chosen to keep private.

As I reflect on my personal journey, I can’t help but share that these past seven months have undeniably been the most challenging I’ve faced thus far. Yet, amidst the trials, I’ve found a beacon of strength in my son’s unwavering courage and determination. Today, with a heart full of gratitude, I can finally say I’ve come to terms with everything that has transpired.

The National Health Service (NHS) defines Apert Syndrome as a specific form of intricate skull deformation (craniosynostosis), which also impacts the hands and feet. This condition occurs due to premature fusion of certain bones in the womb.

In addition to other parts of the skull, the facial bones may be impacted since the cheekbones and upper jaw often fail to grow at the same rate as the rest of the skull. This results in a broader-than-normal distance between the eye sockets, which are also shallower than typical, causing the eyes to appear more prominent or bulging outward.

In a sequence of images posted online, Talia held Oakley close, while another picture displayed his joyful grin as he clutched a plush monkey toy tightly.

she wrote: ‘This is OAKLEY. The last seven months have been the hardest I’ve ever experienced. Suddenly, I was plunged into a medical realm, without any prior notice or opportunity to ready myself.’

At last, it feels as though I’m truly accepting everything that has happened, managing my emotions better, and adapting to our revised way of life.

Meet Oakley Bleu, my stunning son, who was born with the unusual condition known as Apert Syndrome.

Apert Syndrome leads to an early joining together of skull sutures, resulting in a unique head shape. Additionally, it causes the bones in the hands and feet to fuse together, a condition known as syndactyly. It may also result in a cleft in the hard palate, making eating and speaking challenging.

Narrowing in the airway, known as choanal stenosis, can lead to breathing problems. People with Apert Syndrome frequently experience a comprehensive developmental and learning delay. (In the case of Oakley, sleep is facilitated by a vent mask, and oxygen is utilized.)

As an ardent admirer, I exclaimed: “Oakley, your path is lengthy and filled with challenges – a lifetime endeavor, no less. Yet, witnessing your resilience has left me in awe! You’ve got this, my friend!

You’re incredibly courageous and resilient, and it’s no secret that my affection for you is boundless. I wish to use our shared experiences to shed light on our journey, in hopes of offering comfort and understanding to fellow families navigating the complexities of healthcare.

I’m incredibly pleased with this young individual; he’s demonstrated that well-being and affection are the only things truly valuable in life. After a prolonged journey, I’m now finding myself feeling content and joyful once more.

‘My dear son, you’re surrounded by three fantastic brothers and one wonderful sister. Between us all, we’ve got everything necessary. Let’s move forward together on this journey.’

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2025-08-06 21:04