Jenson’s mum, Samantha, from north Yorkshire, tells us about their frightening experience.
“Jenson was born four weeks early in December ’21. He was slow to feed, quite sleepy and had jaundice.
“Once his jaundice levels went down Jenson was discharged but when we got home, he was really sleepy, and his skin had become more yellow.
Stopped breathing
“On New Year's Day ’22 Jenson was moaning during every breath so I rang an ambulance. On the way to hospital he stopped breathing in my arms for a few seconds.
“He spent a week in the ICU during which he had multiple platelet transfusions and tests.
“One time I went for some air. I started walking back to his room and had a feeling of dread.
“I couldn’t bring myself to go back into the room. I walked back out, took a deep breath, and went to him. I came in to loads of doctors and nurses around Jenson and alarms were going off.
“I thought I’d lost him then. I ran on adrenaline for five nightmare days, not eating or sleeping, and I was alone because of covid.
Hoping and praying
“The doctors couldn’t determine at first if it was meningitis because Jenson’s platelet count was too low so they couldn’t do a lumbar puncture. But finally, it was confirmed he had E.coli, sepsis and bacterial meningitis.
“I felt I was in a dream, just hoping and praying he would fight it.
“I knew really knew about meningitis before then. I had always thought of meningitis as a rash but Jenson never had a rash, so I never suspected it.
Brain damaged
“Jenson spent another six weeks in hospital on antibiotics. He was having seizures and an MRI scan showed damage to his brain.
“I was absolutely devastated and confused by what was happening.
“The doctors tried explaining things to me but because I was in shock. I didn’t take anything in. It was the worst week of all of our lives.
“Jenson’s big sister was only four at the time. She was crying for me and her brother to come home. It was heart-breaking to watch. Because of Covid she wasn’t allowed to visit the hospital. The only thing that kept me going was knowing she was with her Daddy.
Developmental delay
“Jenson is now one years old and although he is a very smiley baby, he has a lot of tantrums. It is very frustrating but knowing he survived everything keeps me strong for him.
“He is developmentally delayed, and he’s seeing a physiotherapist for balance issues.
“Jenson and his big sister adore each other and are so close. He is the most happy, cheeky boy.
“We are just happy he is still here and healthy and we ready to overcome what happens in the future.”
