(You may find the contents of this story disturbing or upsetting)
Joshua
was born a small (5lbs) but healthy baby on the 25th June, 1999. He
was one month premature. From birth he had difficulties in feeding (Projectile
Vomiting) and at 6 weeks he was diagnosed with Pyloric Stenosis, which is a
value malfunction in the stomach. The Doctors said that it was due to him being
premature and that he would grow out of it.
I was a HGV Driver working away most of the week, so any time I could get at home was valuable.
On
Saturday the 25th September, 1999, (his 3 month Birthday) I returned
home and found him on the floor in the Kitchen. He was white and unconscious. I
asked his Mother what had happened, she said “I don’t know?”.
I
immediately rushed him to Hospital (A&E) and the next 5 hours was a case of
lots of questions but no answers. At around 11.00pm we were informed that he had
been stabilised and he was going to be transferred to a Neurological I.C.U Unit
at Leeds General Infirmary.
We
were told the cause of his condition was Shaken Baby Syndrome and impact
injuries. The Police, Child Protection and Social Services were called and his
Mother was arrested.
At around midnight
his vital organs began to fail, they resuscitated three times before the
Intensive Care team could transport him to Leeds. On
route to Leeds an emergency team were sent to accompany him. They put him on a
Life Support Machine and carried out an operation (Cranial Tap) on his brain
whilst in the Ambulance.
All
day Monday & Tuesday his condition deteriorated, he had suffered from
massive head injuries (Retinal Haemorrhages, front and rear quadrant
haemorrhages, subdural haemorrhages) neck injuries and other injuries including
arms and shoulders, ribs, lungs, back and pelvis.
On
the Wednesday I was told that Joshua would not survive another 24 hours and I
should consider turning off his life support.
That night I got him Christened in the Intensive Care Unit and agreed his
life support should be turned off the next day.
At
11.00am the next day, 1 hour before turning his machine off, Joshua had a
massive seizure and arrested. The Doctors took over his breathing and
resuscitated him again. He was still in a Coma but he was fighting it and
showing signs of life. He spent a further 3 days in Intensive Care and almost a
year in various Hospitals. I moved to be closer to him.
His
Mother pleaded guilty due to Post Natal Depression.
The Court gave her a sentence of 3 years probation.
During
the time he was in Hospital he was diagnosed with severe Cerebral Palsy,
Epilepsy, Global Development Delay, Spastic Quadaplegia.
He was also Blind and Deaf. He had a N.G. Tube for 6 months then had a
Gastrostomy tube inserted.
This
was all due to an incident that took 30 seconds.
In
January 2000 I went to Court. I won custody and a Care and Protection Order was
placed on him. I’ve had months of training and exams just to be able to look
after him. The only other alternative was permanent hospitalisation.
The
final Court hearing will be on January the 11th, 2002.
I will then have full responsibility for him.
Although
he will never walk or talk he can communicate via sounds and expressions. His
eyesight has come back (89% Right and 67% Left) and hearing is almost OK.
As
you can see from the picture of him he is a happy and content little boy.
He also has a new Mum now (Lorraine) who loves him.
We
still have regular admissions into Hospital due to infections, etc, (mainly due
to his low immune system) but he has open access, his own room and he loves the
Nurses. He has daily physiotherapy
and the Paediatric Community Nurse visits every week.
He is also due to have a new Gastrostomy Tube fitted (PEG) early next
year.
Like
most stories this does have a happy ending and we will update you on his
progress.
Update:
Good News: Adrian has been granted full custody of Joshua