Meningitis TV ad helps save Reece’s life
The youngster from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, started complaining of a pain in his leg two weeks ago. He also had a high temperature.
His mother Sharon took him to their local GP who said Reece had an infection in his hip and advised he be taken to Wexford General Hospital for an X-ray.
The results of the X-ray and blood tests confirmed the infection and Sharon was advised to take her son to Waterford Regional Hospital the following day.
When Sharon said she did not have any transport, she was told she could travel with her son in an ambulance that was to take a baby to Waterford.
En route, Sharon noticed her son had a rash. But ambulance driver Alan Kelly knew otherwise. He had seen the Meningitis Research Foundation’s 30-second message on TV and recognised the symptoms.
He alerted the hospital who were ready to treat the boy as soon as they arrived.
“It was on the way up that Alan noticed Reece had a rash,” Sharon said.
“Reece has eczema so I put it down to that. Alan got the tumbler out and checked him. He knew the signs and later told me he had seen them on the television.
“It was four days before Reece came around. At one stage they actually thought he was not going to make it. Only for Alan’s quick-thinking he wouldn’t be here.
“It happened so quick and the way it spread was unbelievable.”
Alan said he was shocked at the way the disease progressed and how quickly Reece’s condition deteriorated.
“If it had not been for the charity’s awareness message I would not have recognised the symptoms as early as I did,” he said.
A free symptoms information pack is available from the Meningitis Research Foundation by telephoning 1890 41 33 44.
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