Back in July 2007 many people will remember the Sheffield floods, well this was the least of Richard and Claires problems as this was when their son, Jake, was born with a heart defect.
The floods devastated many people’s lives as they tore through their homes but Jake was faced with open heart surgery after the Sheffield Jessops hospital discovered Jake had around eleven holes in his heart and both the major heart valves formed the wrong way.
Something we all take for granted when a newborn baby comes into our lives is that our babies are born healthy and free of pain without a worry in the world.
Sadly, in Richard and Claires case, they wern't that fortunate.
In Jakes case, and many others, we have to rely on the hospital staff and their skill & professionalism to spot any irregularities in our babies.
Jake was seen to be born a healthy baby until the next day when the nursing staff at Jessops in Sheffield noticed that he had lost some colour and decided to raise concerns with the medical staff. The fear going through their minds was uncontrollable and the thought that the 9 months of pregnancy to start a new family wasn’t going to plan was hard for them to imagine.
The staff decided that Sheffield did not have the correct equipment to operate on Jake and thought it best that he be taken to Leeds General Infirmary where they have specialised equipment and staff.
Jake was placed in an ambulance and dashed off with blue lights flashing all the way up the M1 where medical staff delivered him to the Intensive Care Unit to be monitored and prepared for surgery.
Leeds General Infirmary have worked wonders in their lives and Jake has undergone three lots of major open heart surgery to rectify the heart valves and to close most of the holes in his heart, some of which were placed awkwardly beneath the heart and difficult to get to.
Despite this the medical staff pressed on and Jakes family and friends grew ever closer and tried their upmost to stay strong for him.
Only now can we tell the story about a very strong little boy who has changed the lives of many. A happy little boy who is full of life and smiles. Jakes condition has made us recognise that some are not as fortunate as Jake for being given a second chance in life and for this reason and also to show appreciation to Leeds General Infirmary and to Sheffield Jessops hospital for the care they gave to Jake and all of his family, we have decided to do what we can to raise much needed funds for this wonderful charity.
Without the hard work, skill and determination of the staff who helped both Jake and his family, they simply wouldn't have got through this most difficult part of all their lives.
THANK YOU will never be enough.
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