A BABY born with a rare heart condition which has no cure has successfully undergone surgery which her family hope will give her a better quality of life.

Ellory Stevenson was born three weeks prematurely in August and diagnosed with genetic disorder trisomy 18, known as Edwards syndrome.

The condition causes serious heart problems and has no cure but dad Gareth Stevenson, from Tranent, and his family were told that Ellory could have surgery to fix the defects in her heart.

Former Ross High Rugby Club player Gareth, 33, moved from Tranent to the United States last year with wife Christina and their two sons Jonah, two, and Evan, eight, but they had to uproot their lives after Ellory was offered the chance of surgery, moving from their home in Virginia, where Gareth works in sales, to Omaha, Nebraska, so she could be treated.

Ellory underwent the operation last Monday and dad Gareth said it had gone well.

He said: “Surgery went well and she’s recovering well now.

“She has surprised everyone, taking all this in her stride.

“We are so proud of her.”

Family and friends have launched a crowdfunding page to help support Gareth and his family as they remain in Omaha with Ellory and once they return home.

Gareth, who worked for Glennon Brothers in Humbie before taking a sales position with Virginia Business Systems in the US, said Ellory’s condition meant that she would not be able to go into childcare and Christina only received eight weeks’ paid maternity leave from work, so the family are hoping funds raised will allow her to stay home and be a full-time mum while they find the right person to provide her homecare.

Gareth said: “Christina’s time off is unpaid leave and it is going to be tough for us financially as we both need to work full-time.

“Ellory has shown us that she is certainly a fighter and we will support her all the way, which means doing whatever we need to to get our baby girl through this.”

Edwards syndrome is a rare but serious genetic condition caused by having an extra chromosome.

It is rare for babies born with the condition to reach adulthood.

To support Ellory and her family, go to gofundme.com/4ehg394