The mother of an Aberdeenshire boy who almost died after suffering two strokes at just 18-months-old has spoken out about the condition as part of Action for Brain Injury Week.
Alex Crichton is now a happy, active 7-year-old, but he was born with a serious congenital heart defect.
And when he was just one and a half, the Westhill youngster had to undergo complex heart surgery in Glasgow.
But when the anaesthetics wore off, Alex suffered from two focal seizures which resulted in severely reduced blood flow to parts of his brain.
The double stroke caused a great deal of problems for the Crombie Primary pupil, both physical and mental, and over the years he has undergone a extensive physiotherapy and occupational therapy to help him live a normal life.
But now, thanks in part to the work of the Child Brain Injury Trust charity, Alex is in full time, main stream education and his family are looking forward to the future.
His mum Julie, 41, said: “He wasn’t expected to survive, but when he did it was apparent that there were some quite serious issues.
“He had mobility problems, he lost the power to drink, eat, talk and walk – he had to relearn everything.
“He does still have some problems – he’s got limited use of his left hand and arm, and his right leg, but there are all the hidden things that you don’t see.
“He gets confused quite easily, suffers from memory problems, fatigue, and he finds it hard to balance.
“Over the years, he’s had the support of school and friends, but it was only last year I found out about the Child Brain Injury Trust.
“Brain injuries and strokes are things you usually associate with older people – I didn’t even know children could have strokes until Alex – and the Child Brain Injury trust works so hard across the country to help children like my son.
“They train with us at the house, they work with the school, they’ve done so much to help Alex.”
Alex’s mum and his big sister Natalie, 17, will be raising funds for the Child Brain Injury Trust next month in a sponsored walk.
To donate to the online fundraiser, visit www.
aberdeenkiltwalk2017.everydayhero.com/uk/julie-3
