A BRAVE three-year-old has returned home for the first time in six months after being left unable to walk or speak following a sudden illness.
Daisy-Rae Reid, from Pitsea, first became unwell back in April after she began being sick, which at the time was thought to be nothing more than a 24-hour sickness bug.
However, Daisy got worse and was being sick, struggling to stay conscious, with weakness in her left side, and her mum, Naomi Wall, 29, knew something wasn’t right.
After a number of trips to hospital over the following week, Daisy continued to deteriorate to the point her left side became paralysed, she couldn’t speak, was unconscious for long periods, and she started to have seizures.
Daisy had to be put into an induced coma and blue-lighted to Great Ormond Street Hospital where she was later diagnosed with a rare condition called dystonia after a virus called encephalitis.
Daisy spent months in Great Ormond Street Hospital, before later being moved to a rehabilitation centre, as she is still unable to walk or talk.
After six months in hospitals, Daisy finally came home last week but still needs 24/7 care.
A GoFundMe has now been set up to raise funds to help adapt the family’s home and support Daisy and her family on this new journey.
Naomi said: “As a parent you can imagine the hurt and pain I am feeling for my baby girl.
“Such a tiny little body going through so much. Despite being home, it is still a very long road ahead of us yet.
“It is very, very hard to go from the hospital to caring for Daisy ourselves at home.
“This has been a massive shock to us all as a family.”
Naomi added: "It is still going to be very, very hard to deal with in the future as she needs 24/7 care.
"This little girl has touched so many hearts already on showing and proving everyone how strong she really is.
"All money raised is helping Daisy on this new journey as we return home.
"To help get her whatever she wants and needs to recover and to help give her the best future we can possible as we all adapt to her new life."
To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/help-daisy-to-fight-encephalitis-which-caused-brain-damage
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here