“At six-weeks-old, Alfie became unwell.
He wasn’t eating, kept throwing up and had a high temperature.
“I took him to A&E and we were told he had suspected bronchiolitis. They sent us home within 23 hours.
“The next day, he started having seizures. Luckily my mum is a children's nurse, and she was here at the time. I don't know what we would have done without her. I knew something wasn't right, it just didn't seem right.
In hospital for 16 days
“Alfie was taken to paediatric intensive care at Leeds General Infirmary, where he was diagnosed with bacterial MenB. He stayed in hospital for 16 days.
“I was absolutely terrified. It was horrible. And I was away from my other two children. We were told he wasn't going to make it. They said he would never walk, never sit up, never talk.
“He pulled through though and he’s proven everybody wrong. Alfie will always face challenges, and there is a difference in development, made more evident alongside his twin sister Lexi.
“They said the left side of his brain was damaged. They can't tell us to what extent, until he gets older. He's quite weak on his right hand side, using his left hand all the time.
One day at a time
“He has trouble listening as well. We thought it was his hearing at first, but it's his brain, struggling to process what we are saying.
“We're taking it one day at a time. I'm really happy with how he is, he's doing all the things they said he never would. We just have to take it as it comes. I'm hoping he has a bright future.
“Me and my dad took part in a zipslide from the Tyne Bridge on 12 October for Meningitis Now. This event was very important to us. I want to be able to help other parents who are going through the same situation as me and be able to raise money for this amazing charity.”
