Local boy starts school after traumatic start to life

Parents, Richard and Kelly Grahame from Wickford, Essex are both proud and nervous to see their four year old son, Harrison start school this September, after his traumatic start to life.

When Harrison was just four weeks old he was suddenly taken ill and rushed to Great Ormond Street Hospital for specialist care. After many tests he was diagnosed with the infection, Group B Strep which led to him developing life-threatening meningitis. After his condition quickly took a turn for the worse, Richard and Kelly received the heart-breaking news that they would have to decide whether to turn off his life-support machine.

However, Harrison battled on and began to show signs of improvement just a few days later. After three weeks in Great Ormond Street, Richard and Kelly were informed that Harrison was on the road to recovery but that it was likely he would have permanent brain damage, and they would not know the full extent until he was older. Now he’s looking forward to starting school at his local Oakfield Primary School.

Mum, Kelly, 38 says “Harrison is our little miracle and has had such a tough journey to get to where he is now. His time in Great Ormond Street Hospital was the worst time in our lives and if it wasn’t for the vital support we received from charity, The Sick Children’s Trust, I don’t know how we would have coped.

“To watch Harrison playing with his older brother, Fletcher and trying on his new school uniform makes us feel so fortunate and proud. He still has to go to hospital for check-ups and has a slight speech delay but apart from that he has recovered brilliantly. He can’t wait to start school and I think I will be more nervous than him standing at the school gates!”

During Harrison’s time at Great Ormond Street Hospital, Richard, Kelly and eight year old, Fletcher were able to stay close by to Harrison in Rainbow House, a ‘Home from Home’ provided by The Sick Children’s Trust. 

You can watch ITV News's coverage of Harrison's story here.