Harrison’s miracle recovery spurs dad on in Great North Run
15.09.10
A DONCASTER dad has been inspired to take part in this weekend's Great North Run after his son made a miraculous recovery from meningitis.
Dave Pulham, from Balby, feared the worst when his five-month-old son Harrison was diagnosed with meningitis within hours of showing any signs of being ill.
But the hardy tot battled back and now Dave is preparing to conquer the 13.1mile course, between Newcastle and South Shields on Sunday, in his honour.
The events of Christmas day 2008 and Harrison's subsequent ordeal have prompted Dave to raise money for Meningitis UK.
The 36-year-old hopes to raise over £500 towards the charity's vaccine research work to protect future generations.
Dave remembers how their excitement for Christmas quickly vanished when Harrison, now aged two, started fitting at 4am.
He said: "He had been slightly grizzly for a few days but there was nothing to ring alarm bells.
"He wasn't going to sleep so my wife Becky was cuddling him until they dozed off. It's lucky she did because at 4am he started fitting. Had he been in another room then I dread to think what might have happened.
"We called an ambulance straightaway which took him to Doncaster Royal Infirmary. They had to sedate him then stabilise him before he could be transferred to Sheffield."
A lumber puncture confirmed Harrison had pneumococcal meningitis, which is the most dangerous form of meningitis.
Dave added: "When they confirmed it was meningitis I couldn't help but think the worst. They explained how dangerous it was and how it effects the brain.
"Luckily Harrison seemed to make a good recovery over the next few days. Everything seemed to be going well when he started to fit again.
"He needed to be sedated and they carried out scans on his brain to see why this had happened again.
"Again, he recovered, but began to fit after a few days."
Harrison had to spend a month in Sheffield as doctors monitored his progress and checked for any brain damage.
After a further three weeks in Doncaster Royal Infirmary he was allowed home, much to his family's relief.
Last Christmas was a double celebration as Harrison had finished treatment and was a happy and healthy little boy again.
Dave added: "He seems to be absolutely fine now. We have a few concerns about his speech but that should improve as he grows up.
"We feel hugely relived after what was such a traumatic time. I decided to run for Meningitis UK to support their vaccine research work.
"A new vaccine for pneumococcal meningitis has recently been introduced and we feel that preventing people from falling ill is the best way to tackle this devastating disease."
The Great North Run will be the first running event Dave's taken part in and he hopes to complete the course in under two hours.
All money raised in his memory will go towards Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign. It aims to raise £7million to fund vital research into developing a vaccine against all forms of meningitis.
Dave, who works at Bridon International, will be part of the Meningitis Musketeers team, with the motto ‘All 4 One and One 4 All' - to highlight the devastating fact that meningitis can kill in under four hours.
Meningitis UK's Chief Executive Steve Dayman said "Dave's running efforts are really remarkable. We're very thankful to him, not just for taking part in the Great North Run but also for sharing the frightening experience of Harrison being so ill and helping to raise awareness of the disease.
"Every penny raised will go towards our single focus - to find a vaccine to eradicate meningitis. Every bit of help is so important in enabling us to continue our vital work.
"Our ultimate goal is to spare people the heartache thousands of families have suffered by losing a loved one to meningitis."
To give money towards Dave's running efforts, please call Meningitis UK on 0117 373 7373 or visit www.meningitisuk.org
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
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