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ALLANAH — AUSTRALIA
Born March 30, 2009 Late-onset Mother's GBS Status: Tested negative Gestational Age: 39 weeks Age Harmed: 13 days old |
Our daughter Allanah was born a very healthy 9 pound 13 ounces and showed no signs of illness. At 13 days old Allanah was crying and was unable to be settled. After some time we took her to the emergency department and they took over her care. As I tested negative to GBS they couldn't find what it was that was causing her to be so sick. After some time they started giving Allanah antibiotics and than called in the NETS team which is an ambulance designed for kids. They put Allanah on life support and into an induced coma. We than travelled out to Westmead Childrens Hospital and was admitted to Peadiatric Intensive Care unit where we spent the next 12 days. On day 3 our wonderful team of doctors sat us down and told us what was wrong with Allanah. This is when the tests confirmed GBS. We were told she may not make it and she had a 50/50 chance of survival. We were also told Allanah may suffer from extensive brain damage, she may never be able to walk, drink, eat, swallow, gag, talk and the list goes on. We spent a total of 8 weeks in the hospital as Allanah continued to have uncontrolled epileptic seizures each lasting a considerable time.
Allanah has been having sessions of physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and now hydrotherapy to give her the best chances in life. Remarkably Allanah is a very strong determined little person and is doing exceptionally well. She can walk and talk and do everything they didn't think she would be able to do. We continue to have therapy as she is still growing and as we come across new hurdles we overcome them with the assistance of the Cerebral Alliance Centre (The Spastic Centre.) We have had an amazing team of nurses, doctors and specialists since day 13 of Allanah's life working with us and Allanah. Credit goes to each of them and, of course, the love we give her and this is why we believe Allanah is doing so well. Allanah is now 23 months and is turning 2 in 25 days and is like most 'normal' children. We still have issues, but they are nothing like what we first expected. Please never give up hope as hope is what kept us going.
— Kerry Wilkins, New South Wales, Australia
Allanah's mother has started her own support group on Facebook and also wants to create a support group where people can go along and share their stories.
Allanah has been having sessions of physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and now hydrotherapy to give her the best chances in life. Remarkably Allanah is a very strong determined little person and is doing exceptionally well. She can walk and talk and do everything they didn't think she would be able to do. We continue to have therapy as she is still growing and as we come across new hurdles we overcome them with the assistance of the Cerebral Alliance Centre (The Spastic Centre.) We have had an amazing team of nurses, doctors and specialists since day 13 of Allanah's life working with us and Allanah. Credit goes to each of them and, of course, the love we give her and this is why we believe Allanah is doing so well. Allanah is now 23 months and is turning 2 in 25 days and is like most 'normal' children. We still have issues, but they are nothing like what we first expected. Please never give up hope as hope is what kept us going.
— Kerry Wilkins, New South Wales, Australia
Allanah's mother has started her own support group on Facebook and also wants to create a support group where people can go along and share their stories.
