Little Riley moved out of intensive care

DUNDEE mum Leigh Welsh is one step closer to having her greatest Christmas wish come true after her son Riley was moved out of intensive care.

Riley has been on a ventilator in Edinburgh for most of December after contracting an infection that he couldn’t fight off.

Leigh had hoped to have her son home for Christmas, after two agonising weeks by his bedside in hospital.

And her hopes are closer to becoming a reality, after the nineyear-old – who has a range of acute medical conditions – was moved out of the intensive care ward.

Leigh said: “Riley’s now managing to breathe himself and is no longer in need of intensive care or any oxygen.

“I don’t know how he has done this but I am so happy.

“We tried him with some food but he turned his nose up at hospital food and gave the physios a telling off – he’s definitely feeling better.”

In a bid to get Riley eating again, Leigh collected some of his favourite treats and also bought him new toys as a reward for his bravery.

She added: “I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone. I thought I was losing my baby and felt so helpless putting his life into the hands of strangers.

“It’s been so scary. I am over the moon now that my strong and resilient wee boy has come back fighting again.

“I’m so thankful to the staff in Ninewells kids ward, the Scotstar team who seamlessly moved my child on a ventilator into an ambulance and across the country to another hospital, the ICU team who are amazing at what they do, the HDU team and everyone who has kept my baby alive and nursed him back to health. My heart is full and grateful.”

A fundraising campaign to help Riley to receive advance biomechanical rehabilitation ABR, a unique therapy which rebuilds the strength, structure and function of the body, has so far raised £1,195 towards its £6,000 target.

Riley has been moved out of intensive care. Inset: Our story on Tuesday.