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Ollie , now 10 year old has decided he would like to raise money to give something back to a charity that has provided him and the family as a whole so much support since he was diagnosed with multiple Cavernoma before his third birthday.

Just before Ollie's third birthday we found him in bed having a seizure. He was rushed to hospital where doctors discovered he had suffered a stroke. Ollie woke paralysed down his left side and we feared the worst. After several scans Ollie was transferred to Edinburgh Sick Kids and was diagnosed with multiple Cavernoma (irregular blood vessels in his brain), one of which had bled causing his stroke.We were left with a decision to make on whether or not Ollie should have brain surgery to remove his symptomatic Cavernoma. The consequences of both having surgery or a watch and wait approach could have been devastating. 

 We knew nothing about Cavernoma and most medical professionals had limited or no knowledge of the condition. We searched the internet looking for information and found Cavernoma Alliance UK (CAUK). CAUK provided us with information, support and the details of an experienced surgeon who could give us a second opinion on Ollies treatment.

Ollie had surgery to remove his Cavernoma shortly before his 5th birthday and CAUK provided us constant support from making the decision, to his recovery and still today. Ollie recovered from his stroke and from his surgery but we still live every day knowing he still has Cavernoma and is likely to develop more. We don't know what impact this will have on Ollie's future but we live everyday as it comes with the support of CAUK when things are tough.

Ollie has a frontal lobe brain injury as a result of his bleed, he often feels different from other children and has difficulty understanding his condition and the limitations it has on his daily life. CAUK provide Caverhubs and residential weekends for children with Cavernoma and their families and this is so important to Ollie and us all. Ollie can meet other children with the same condition, be himself with people who understand and he now knows children his age who can support each other as they grow in the knowledge they will never be alone.

Ollie has decided himself that he would like to give something back to CAUK and with the support of our local indoor trampoline park, Ryze Dundee, he intends to complete a three hour Bounceathon to raise both funds and awareness.

Thankyou for taking the time to read Ollie's story.

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