When I was two and a half years old, I had a sudden brain haemorrhage. To save my life I had a shunt fitted in my brain. Every six months for the next few years I had an MRI brain scan to monitor what was happening.
Unfortunately, shortly after I turned seven, I developed a brain tumour. I was in surgery for 12 hours having an operation to remove the tumour. I recovered very well with the help and support of the doctors and nurses in the Paul Ward and of my family.
Less than a year later the brain tumour grew back and I had to undergo another gruelling, this time 13 hour-long operation, as the surgeons tried to remove the tumour. The surgery went quite well but my optic nerve was damaged, which affected my eyesight badly and that is taking a long time to recover.
In the six years since then I have had five more brain surgeries and each time I return to the Paul Ward to recover and rehabilitate . I have got to know the doctors, nurses, auxiliary and support staff very well. Their continued support has meant so much to my family and me.
Neurological disorders can be very scary and desperate at times. Without the skill, dedication and support of Mr McConnell, Mano Shanmuganathan and the rest of their wonderful team, I and others would not be here today.
All of the money raised at our event will go to the Paul Ward to help sick children and their families in various ways following neurosurgery, to help make an extremely difficult situation much better and easier to live with.
My family and I would like to give a little something back.
Thank you for giving,
Love
Bonnie x
