Mirfield mum's 'devastation' after son, 7, hospitalised after life-changing stroke

Oscar Jevons, from Upper Hopton, Mirfield, was struck with a stroke on September 29, resulting in having half his skull removed to assist with the swelling.

His mum Louise Abrahams, 39, said after the incident Oscar, who was also born with Down Syndrome, spent two weeks in Leeds General Infirmary's ICU, before being moved to a ward in the hospital.

Mum-of-two Ms Abrahams said: "It was devastating. When it happened I feared the worst and thought he might not make it to surgery.

"Oscar was also born with a bowel disease, which lead to a bowel perforation and means he uses a colostomy bag. He also had open-heart surgery to repair a heart defect when he was five years old.

"He was a happy healthy boy, who despite his health issues just got on with life."

Ms Abrahams said before the stroke, Oscar was running, talking and kept very active, however, in late September she said her son 'woke up earlier than usual and wasn't himself'.

"A few hours later there was still no improvement," she said.

"When I lifted him he was floppy - my heart sank and I had no idea what was going on.

"We were taken to Pinderfields Hospital where a CT scan confirmed Oscar had a stroke."

Oscar spent a night in Pinderfields, Wakefield, and would be transferred to Leeds General ICU, where within an hour of arriving he was in the operating theatre having life-saving surgery.

Ms Abrahams said Oscar is improving every day, but the stroke has affected the left side of his face, and he may never fully recover from the side effects amid the stroke causing significant brain injury.

Now his mum is bidding to give her son the best possible chance in life, but said the family are struggling financially.

She said: "It's a hard time to be in the hospital with the current guidelines we can't visit as a family or stay in family accommodation.

"Covid has made this situation tougher too."

Ms Abrahams and her partner Adrian Jevons, 53, who are also parents to their other child Oliver, 11, are now taking turns to visit Oscar in hospital.

The family are now looking to move into a larger home, where they can install mixed-ability facilities for Oscar's return home.

A Gofundme page has been set up to help Oscar and his family.

If you would like to donate, visit: Gofundme/Oscar