In 2011, three days before Christmas one of the worst things that could happen, happened to my 7 year old nephew. He collapsed at home and was unresponsive. Once rushed to hospital they did a brain scan on him and saw a shadow, it could've been a number of things, tumour or brain bleed to name a couple. Nobody even considered a stroke until the next day when he had been placed into a coma and sent to Southampton General hospital for more tests. A stroke?! In a 7 year old boy?! How? Why?
He was slowly brought out of his coma, where the extent of his trauma was exposed. He couldn't talk, swallow, lift his head or even move the right side of his body. At first he didn't even seem to recognise his family. How could this happen to a 7 year old? He stayed in hospital for 6 months receiving daily physio and occupational therapy, but has been left with many disabilities. Things we take for granted that we can do easily, he struggles with, dressing, brushing his teeth, washing himself, even playing computer games. He has right sided weakness which includes limited use of his right hand and relies on a wheelchair to walk distances we would see as a short walk. He has short term memory loss and difficulties with speech. He struggles daily, but he does it all with a smile on his face. Even though he's had to relearn to talk, walk, read, write and many more things.
What caused this? The chicken pox virus!!
As he grows his right sided weakness is causing more problems. He has muscle wastage and a slight curvature of the spine. He needs intense physio to strengthen his core, muscles and right hand but can't receive this on the NHS. He is a child and deserves to live a life to his full potential and anything we can do to ease his struggle is so worth it.
He is an inspiration to anyone who is going through a difficult time in their lives, he carries on trying every day, even though it's hard work and it's not fair he is going through this. I will be running the great south run to support raising funds and hope to show half of Alex's grit and determination