The parents of a special Donegal boy are counting their blessings this Christmas thanks to three incredible organisations.
Letterkenny Children’s Ward, Temple Street Children’s Hospital and Hugh’s House were saviours for the Devenney family from Newtown when their newborn son James contracted meningitis and sepsis at only 18 days old.
Parents Gareth and Ciara were enjoying their first few weeks with their beautiful baby boy when alarm bells started ringing and he became gravely sick.
On September 9, James was rushed from Newtown Cunningham doctor’s surgery to Letterkenny hospital by ambulance with suspected meningitis. The local doctor had thankfully given James an antibiotic on arrival that potentially saved his life.
James was treated in Letterkenny for the next few hours until it was said he would need to be transferred to Dublin.
Gareth and Ciara travelled the agonising journey through the night to Temple Street hospital.
On arrival, they were told that the next 48-hours were going to be critical.
It was later confirmed that James had contracted Strep B Meningitis and Sepsis.
After a few days, his body started to accept the antibiotics and that was the start of his road to recovery.
He was put on a course of antibiotics for 3 weeks and still got round the clock monitoring from doctors and nurses.
Thankfully, after three weeks, the infection had cleared up.
James’ parents were told he had suffered brain damage from the meningitis but so-far he is showing all positive signs.
James’ father Gareth is organising a walk on boxing day at Inch Wildfowl Reserve, Burt, to help raise funds for Letterkenny Children’s Ward, Temple Street Children’s Hospital and Hugh’s House.
Gareth said these three places helped to save his son’s life:
“Hugh’s House was a saviour to us as a family when we were in Dublin as we were offered free accommodation which just was like a home from home and so close to the hospital.
“We want to hold this walk and raise much-needed funds for these three amazing organisations that certainly saved our son’s life.
“We would also like to thank everyone for all their thoughts and prayers, that really helped us through this tough journey,” he said.
The walk will take place at Inch Wildfowl Reserve, Burt on Thursday, December 26, at 11.30am starting at the Pumphouse Car-park.
James’ family also set up a gofundme page, you can donate through the following link:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/james-boxing-day-walk
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