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Our son, Ayden, fell I'll with Pneuomococcil Meningitis in  May 2014 at the age of 2 years old. Ayden had none of the classic symptoms of meningitis, until the day he was rushed to hospital (2 days after getting sick) where he presented with a stiff neck. A day prior to this, we had him at his local gp who told us he had a virus. 

He spent a total of 3 months in hospital, the first part in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, then on to the High Dependancy Unit, and finally to the children's ward.  He was a very, very sick little boy, and doctors gave his dad and I the very heartbreaking news that he may not survive. The infection had spread to his brain and into his blood. We spent every waking minute at his bedside, praying our little boy would survive. There is nothing I wouldnt have done to swap places with him. 

Ayden, defied all the odds, and pulled through. However, he was left with many issues as a result. The meningitis caused him to have some pressure in his brain, so he had, one of many, surgeries, to fit a vp shunt to equalise the pressure in his head. Although we knew from a week in, we later had confirmation that Ayden was left profoundly deaf in both ears, another awful after effect of bacterial meningitis. He also suffered some partial damage to the left side of his brain which controls movement, this meant Ayden was left with a slight weakness the right side of his body, mainly his hand and arm. 

From may until August, our amazing little boys world was silent. He slowly lost most of the speech he had developed in his 2 short years of life. Through it all, he continued to laugh, and lip read amazingly for his young age. I longed for the day I could let him hear me again and to hear his beautiful sweet little voice again. That day was coming.....

In July , Ayden underwent an 8 hour surgery to receive cochlear implants, which were activated on the 1st August 2014.  Since then things have just got better and better. He has found his little voice again, sings all day long, understands everything we say to him, and after many hours if listening therapy, is almost back to being on par with his hearing peers with regards to receptive language and speech.  He will get there, we have no doubt. 

Ayden has and continues to have, lots of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and listening therapy. His days are busy, but they are also full of fun, and laughter, and loads of toddler naughtiness, which we would not have any other way. I cherish every moment and take nothing for granted. 

Against all the predictions of consultants, who did not think Ayden would walk again, he is back on his feet, running rings around his mummy and daddy, loves going swimming, playing at the park, and spending hours with his favourite toys, his choo choo trains, and buses. He chats non stop, and has an abundance of energy.  Doctors tell us he has changed the medical text books, with regards to pneuomococcil meningitis,  and has done a million times better than anyone could have imagined. 

Meningitis Now charity,  have been an amazing help to our family. Emotionally , and financially. They have so kindly funded, for Ayden to attend Auditory Verbal Therapy once a fortnight for the next year.  The therapists there have helped me and equipped me with all the knowledge I need to make sure Ayden does as brilliant as he should, with his cochlear implants. 

He is our absolute miracle, the strongest , most loveable, happy little boy we have ever known. 

I am taking part in the 3 peaks challenge, because I want to not only raise awareness of meningitis, but also because I want to give something back to the charity, in the hope it can help another family some day. 

Thank you for reading my story, and thank you for your donation. 

Angie xxxx