The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Leven boy McKenzie Brackley, seen with sister Paige, will be rubbing shoulders with royalty after he was chosen to meet Prince Harry. Picture: Steve MacDougall.
After intensive therapy and hospital stays, four-year-old McKenzie will be honoured at 2018 WellChild awards
An inspirational Leven boy will soon be rubbing shoulders with royalty after he was chosen to meet Prince Harry.
Four-year-old McKenzie Brackley has been named as a winner in the 2018 WellChild awards.
The charity counts Prince Harry as its patron and McKenzie, from Leven, Fife, is hoping Meghan Markle will also attend the glittering London ceremony on September 4.
McKenzie was picked from hundreds of nominations from across the UK to win the category of “inspirational child” after being nominated by his mum, Amy.
After catching Entovirus D68, which brought on life-threatening acute flaccid paralysis, he was in intensive care for three months in 2016, unable to breathe for himself or move.
Onceoutofdanger, McKenzieworked hard at his intensive therapy, learning to swallow, speak and walk again.
His struggle continues as even now he has some residual paralysis and weakness and struggles to keep his weight up.
During his lengthy stay in hospital, McKenzie won the hearts of everyone he met, health professionals and other children alike, with his selfless attitude and acts of kindness.
The youngster explained to one frightened little girl that X-rays are just pictures of your insides so you feel nothing, held hands and gave his favourite teddies to others while they were having blood tests and even helped the cleaners with their work.
Amy said: “Within a few hours our lives changed forever when my happy, healthy, beautiful boy became dangerously ill.
“I truly believe my cheeky little monkey deserves this WellChild award for the way he has come out the other end still smiling.”
The awards celebrate the courage of children coping with serious illnesses or complex conditions and honour the dedication of professionals who go the extra mile to help them.
McKenzie will be one of the stars of the show at the awards ceremony, which has been attended over the past few years by many celebrity supporters, including the Duke of Sussex.
Linda McCarthy, WellChild respiratory clinical nurse specialist at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, could not think of a more deserving winner.
“All the team are proud of how far McKenzie has come during his recovery and rehabilitation, especially considering all the challenges and obstacles he has had to overcome.”
leclark@thecourier.co.uk