Taylor's miracle recovery inspires fundraising effort
08.06.10
WHEN little Taylor Hall's heart stopped beating twice as she battled meningitis, her family prepared for the worst.
The youngster, from Mitcham in Surrey, was 17-months-old when she was struck down by the brain bug on November 29 last year and spent six weeks in hospital, during which time she also caught swine flu.
Now, against all odds, Taylor will be celebrating her second birthday on Thursday surrounded by her proud family.
Her grandfather Andy Hall has just run the London 10,000 for Meningitis UK in celebration of her survival and raised over £1,500 towards the charity's vaccine research work.
He says they thank their lucky stars everyday that Taylor's not only survived, but has gone on to make a good recovery despite fears she might lose limbs.
Andy, 51, said: "On the Saturday night she was a bit grizzly but we just thought she was teething or over-tired. But the next morning she was trying to stand in her cot but kept slumping down, she was crying and looked terrified.
"We noticed a bruise above her right eye and her parents Andrew and Sonia thought she must have banged her head on the cot bars.
"But further examination revealed a pinprick rash all over her body. My wife Jane knew instantly what it was and called an ambulance. While we waited, Taylor's eyes rolled into the back of her head and panic set in."
Medical experts at St George's Hospital confirmed that Taylor had meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia - a form of blood poisoning which caused the rash.
Taylor was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and put on a ventilator to help her small body battle the infection.
Andy added: "It was three hours before we were allowed to see her again. She was twice her normal size, had machines all around her bed, wires coming from everywhere and her limbs were wrapped in foil.
"It was shocking to the core to see her like this and completely heartbreaking. Her blood pressure caused her heart to fail but they somehow kept her alive.
"Then, on the second day, her lungs couldn't cope and gave up. They managed to revive her and she was put on a ventilator the size of a washing machine.
"We were also told in the first few days that she might lose her limbs, or her digits."
Taylor also contracted swine flu and doctors said they were taking it minute by minute, until they described her as stable on the fifth day.
On day 11 she was taken off the ventilator and brought round. She was in great pain from the blisters that covered her body but was well enough to be moved to the children's ward.
Taylor began eating again and was trying to speak by the third week. She was unable to use her left arm and her fingers were curled up so she couldn't hold anything.
Andy said: "Unfortunately Taylor didn't make it home for Christmas or the New Year but she finally came home on January 6.
"Doctors said it would take Taylor a few weeks to get back on her feet but two days after coming home she was walking again.
"On January 9 we all celebrated Christmas. Taylor wore her Mrs Christmas outfit we'd bought her and she proudly walked into the party.
"It was such an emotional day, just as her second birthday will be on Thursday. We thank our lucky stars everyday that she is still with us and it still amazes us that she managed to beat this awful disease."
Her mum Sonia was 26 weeks pregnant when the drama unfolded and has since given birth to baby Ollie, who was blissfully unaware of the stress his mum had been through.
Andy added: "It was the most wonderful feeling watching Taylor meet her baby brother for the first time.
"We could never thank the doctors and nurses enough for saving her life. We're trying to give something back by supporting Meningitis UK in its mission to find a vaccine for this devastating disease and hope that by sharing Taylor's story that we will help to raise awareness."
All money raised through Andy's London 10,000 efforts will go towards Meningitis UK's Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign, which aims to make £7million to fund vital research into developing a vaccine against Meningitis B - the most common form of the disease in the UK.
Steve Dayman, who founded Meningitis UK after his son Spencer died from the disease, said: "For Taylor to be pull through after such an ordeal is really remarkable. She's a very lucky little girl.
"Thankfully Jane know that the rash might be meningitis. Because it can kill in less than four hours, early recognition, diagnosis and prompt treatment can mean the difference between life and death.
"Unfortunately not everyone makes a full recovery like Taylor and the disease kills hundreds of people each year. Meningitis UK's ultimate goal is to find a vaccine to eradicate meningitis. Until this is achieved it's imperative that everyone's aware of the symptoms."
The charity is offering the public free symptoms information packs to help raise awareness. These include a leaflet with all the facts and frequently asked questions, plus a ‘Check the Symptoms' fridge magnet and handy wallet-sized symptoms cards.
To order your free symptoms information pack or for more information about Meningitis UK, call 0117 373 7373 or visit www.meningitisUK.org.
MeningitisUK · Registered Charity No.1076774
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