Introducing Harlow

Harlow was born on 5 December 2023 at 2:41am at The Heath Hospital, weighing 8lb 7oz. It was the best moment of our lives.  When she was just seven days old, she became very sleepy and stopped feeding well. At a GP appointment, she suddenly stopped breathing and had to be resuscitated. She was taken straight to hospital and put on a ventilator for five days.

Tests showed she had Group B Strep sepsis and meningitis, as well as Covid-19 and Parainfluenza. She received two weeks of IV antibiotics, and an MRI later showed significant brain injury, including bilateral cerebral infarction, cortical laminar necrosis and a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

We first heard about Cerebral Palsy Cymru from Harlow’s physiotherapist. Harlow was 17 months old when we learned she had cerebral palsy. At her first visit to Cerebral Palsy Cymru, the therapists looked at her movement and development and showed us ways to help her at home and have really made a huge difference. We’ve learned simple ways to make everyday tasks easier for her, and she has made amazing progress.

Her confidence has grown so much, and these sessions have given us confidence and hope during some very difficult times. The staff at Cerebral Palsy Cymru have been incredible we couldn’t have asked for better support.

The early intervention service has given us clear guidance and practical activities to support Harlow at home. Their help has made a big difference in understanding her needs and in accessing further services. Harlow’s therapy sessions have truly been life-changing for her and for us as a family.

Harlow is making amazing progress. She can now use both hands during play, before, she struggled to use her right hand at all. She has also started using a walking frame, helping her build strength and confidence as she works towards walking on her own.

One of our proudest moments was at daycare - after months of watching all the other children run out to their parents, it was finally Harlow’s turn. She walked out to us using her frame, smiling, determined and so proud.

We are incredibly proud of Harlow and so grateful for all the support that has helped her achieve these milestones.

We are currently participating in our Big Give Christmas Challenge, with just 7 days to raise £30,000 to help sustain and grow our critical family support programme, which provides emotional, practical, and mental health support for parents like Ashleigh. 

To make a donation, and get it doubled at no extra cost to yourself, please click the following link: Make a donation!