Fights up to 24 fits every day
The family of a baby boy, who is suffering from up to 24 seizures a day, have told of his battle against the mystery illness.
Six-month-old Archie Benton is believed to have a form of epilepsy and also has nystagmus, which causes uncontrollable eye movement, with fears also raised that the soft spot on his head will close too soon.
While specialists continue tests to pin down the exact cause of the problem, his family are rallying round to ensure he gets the best care and to repay the charity which has helped during their toughest times.
Neo-Angels, based at the University Hospital of North Tees, helped mum Katie Craggs and dad Adam Benton with essentials while they were by Archie’s bedside and to meet costs such as fuel and parking fees while he was in hospital.
Concerns were raised about his health when Katie was 35 weeks pregnant. Archie was smaller than would be expected, and he on to be born three weeks early.
Within hours he had his first seizure, with the next at 11 hours old. At one stage, he became unresponsive and was given oxygen.
He was looked after in its neonatal care unit until he was allowed home for the first time at eight weeks old.
The infant is being given doses of medication doctors would normally give to sixyear-old but is still suffering fits, while he continues to undergo scans and tests and regular physiotherapy sessions.
Despite his difficulties, Archie is a happy baby and enjoying settling into family life with Katie, 27, Adam, 30, who has become his fulltime carer, their daughter Olivia-Rose, two, and Katie’s children Logan Wardle, nine, and Alicia-Lily Wardle, four.
Civil servant Katie, from Peterlee, said: “He is absolutely the most content baby. With all this going on in Archie’s life he is amazingly strong and a fighter.”
The family has set up a donations page to raise cash for NeoAngels, with events in the pipeline, and is also encouraging people to support Epilepsy Action through Purple Day on March 26, when people wear the colour in return for a donation and to highlight the illness.
To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/katie-craggs-1.
“With all this going on he is amazingly strong”
KATIE CRAGGS