First day of school means the world to family of girl born 5 weeks prematurely

Deborah and Tek Onbashi, parents of four year old Megan, are both nervous and excited to see their little girl start school at Hillshott Infant School in Letchworth Garden City this September.

Little Megan had a difficult start to life after being born 5 weeks prematurely in January 2010. Just two weeks later she developed life-threatening bronchiolitis, an infection that caused the airways leading to Megan’s lungs to become inflamed and fill with mucus.

Struggling to breathe and so tiny, she was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London for specialist care. Doctors there had to put Megan on a ventilator in the neonatal intensive care unit to help her breathe, but thankfully she improved. Just a short time later, Deborah and Tek were able to take their little girl home with the impression that she was getting better.

Unfortunately, when Megan was six weeks old, the virus returned. It was even more serious this time, and Megan was rushed to Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge, where she spent 5 days in intensive care on a ventilator. Despite her serious condition, with close monitoring and treatment and her family by her side, Megan pulled through and was able to be transferred to the children’s ward at Addenbrookes for a further 5 days.

Mum Deborah says, “Megan is my first child so watching her as a tiny baby struggling to breathe in intensive care was incredibly scary. It was touch and go for a while, so when we look back over everything she’s been through, it’s very emotional to see her starting school.

“Despite her difficult start, she’s making good progress and is a bright, happy little girl. It’s exciting to know that she’ll be taking this next step and although we worry like any other parents, we know ourlittle fighter will be fine. I can’t believe how time has flown by!”

While Megan was being treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, her family were able to stay just minutes from her side in The Sick Children’s Trust’s ‘Home from Home’ Acorn House. Deborah is now an ambassador for the charity and champions its mission to provide emotional and practical to support for families with seriously ill children in hospital.

Megan had her very first day at school today and we wish her all the very best for a wonderful first year!