A FAMILY is hoping to give something back to the charity which has supported them through some of their toughest times.
since their one-year-old son Ezra was diagnosed with rare and life-threatening hyperinsulinism – where insulin levels are too high.
Ezra had to spend ten weeks in London’s St Ormond Street Hospital where doctor’s tried to stabilise his blood sugar and find the correct medication.
Mum Emily even moved to the hospital to be with Ezra while husband Joe returned to the family’s Church Street home to care for their other son Stanley – who also suffered a difficult start in life after being born ten weeks premature.
Emily, a sales assistant at Gemini, said: “The first night we got him home Ezra didn’t wake to feed, he was really lethargic and floppy.
“We took him to A&E where they checked his blood sugar levels.
“I knew it was serious when they rushed to get a canular into him to administer glucose.
“Our consultant explained that babies can have blood sugar problems as they adjust to life outside the womb.
“They took blood samples and a week later it was confirmed that Ezra had a condition called hyperinsulinism.
“Everything sounded so scary, and we burst into tears.
“Ezra was then sent to great Ormond Street Hospital where I lived with him for ten weeks. Joe went home with Stan. Our family was divided.”
Narrowly avoiding completely having to have his pancreas removed, Ezra was sent home after lots of tests and discovering which drugs best helped his condition.
The family turned to the Bliss charity – which supports families caring for poorly babies – to support them through the difficult time.
Emily said: “Living with congenital hyperinsulinism is tough. We battle daily to ensure Ezra’s blood sugars are good.
“He’s fed through a feeding tube and is on three different drugs.
“Bliss were fantastic. In my many hours on hospital wards I read every single Bliss pamphlet and book.
“It was also amazing to discover their Facebook page, and talk to others who could relate to the situations I was in.”
To thank Bliss, Emily’s father-in-law Steve Brookes – founder of Blooming Marvellous Events – has made them the chosen charity for the Stratford Home and Garden Show, running from July 15 to 17.
Bliss will even host their annual awards ceremony at the show’s ‘VIP Preview Night’ next Thursday (July 14).
Steve told the Observer: “We are thrilled to be able to use our show both for fund-raising and awareness for Bliss.
“We are also having a wonderful Shakespearean ‘Globe Theatre’ Charity Show Garden built at the show.
“This will be a floral representation of the original Globe Theatre in London, where Shakespeare first staged his plays in the 1600s, and will include a live performance stage on which we have a plethora of different acts performing.
“After watching a short performance, visitors can then donate to the charity in the garden’s wishing well.”
The show is being held at Stratford Recreation Ground with tickets costing £5 online and £7 on the door.
Visit www.stratfordhomeandgardenshow.co.uk to find out more.
