About Freddie

Following a healthy pregnancy and 10 days after his due date, Freddie was born on 29th August 2015. The last few minutes before he was welcomed into the world turned from excitement and calm to fear, terror and chaos. Due to a multitude of complications, Freddie’s heart stopped beating 20 minutes before he was born, leading to a fraught, emergency cesarean. Freddie’s brain was starved of oxygen for a considerable amount of time. He had an APGAR score of 233.  His lungs were filled with meconium. Freddie’s parents, Sarah and Paul, were told to prepare for the worst, it was unlikely he’d survive those next few hours.

 A few hours followed, and Freddie fought and fought. A decision was made to transfer him to another hospital a few miles away where he could have a cooling treatment on his brain. The treatment couldn’t cure any of the damage that had been done but it could stop it getting worse. Just 7 hours after being born, Freddie and his family found themselves at St Peter’s Hospital in Surrey. The treatment was started immediately but again, they were told to prepare for the worst, Freddie may not survive the night.

Freddie defied the odds, he survived the night, and the weeks in hospital that followed. He surprised everyone. He got stronger daily. He proved everyone wrong. But at just 6 days old, he had his first MRI scan and the news that followed was crushing for Freddie and his family. The results of the scan showed severe brain damage, he was diagnosed with Grade 3 Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE – more info here), which would cause him to have severe bilateral dystonic Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral Palsy affects every person differently. It can affect muscle control, coordination, tone, reflexes, posture, balance, speech; so many of the things we take for granted and do without a second’s thought. In Freddie’s case, it means his head and core are very floppy but his arms and legs are very stiff. He has uncontrollable muscle spasms. The condition currently prevents him from being able to use his hands, to chew his food, to sit up unaided, to speak and so much more. It’s not all impossible though. He can smile, he can laugh, he loves to watch TV (Mr Tumble and Peppa Pig are his favourites) and he loves to splash around in the bath.

Over the past 6 years, Freddie has proved many doctor’s wrong. He came off his feeding tube and learnt to suck. He loves yoghurts and ice cream. He cannot chew safely though, and sometimes the muscle spasms cause him to choke and he’s unable to swallow, so recently he was fitted with a PEG into his stomach so his family and nurses can get more fluids and extra nutrients into him when needed. He has physio regularly, where they relax his muscles. He started school which he loves!

While Freddie and his family are extremely thankful for the NHS – without them, he might not be here – there is only so much support and therapy they can provide. To improve, and to have a chance of being able to stand, talk and do so many of the most simple of things, Freddie needs countless therapies, equipment and support. The NHS provide one hour of physio a fortnight, for him to improve he needs so much more. Freddie’s family have researched and fundraised, joined support groups and forums, desperate for answers on the best treatment and equipment to provide. In 2019, Freddie visited the world renowned NAPA Center in the USA where they provide intensive, highly specialised therapy unavailable in the UK. His family are fundraising for him to make yearly visits.

With the right therapy and the best equipment, Freddie will be able to keep proving the doctors wrong. He’ll hopefully be able to do amazing things, just like he already has, and he can have a good quality of life. All these treatments cost huge amounts of money and they are only going to become more and more vital as Freddie becomes older. Because of that, Freddie’s family have no choice but to fundraise, to give Freddie every fighting chance to get the best care that he deserves. There have been marathons, treks, raffles, black tie balls, mountain climbs, MMA fights, pool knockouts, fancy dress and so much more. There have been hundreds of people who donated, supported, shared posts etc. There are family members who have shed blood, sweat and tears; friends with sore, bruised and blistered feet and colleagues who have thrown themselves into the action without anyone having to ask.

No one in Freddie’s family expected 6 years ago for this to happen. No one knew what HIE even was. But the last 6 years have opened up a whole new world for them. Through continued fundraising, they will ensure that Freddie gets the best possible care, and that this fighter is given every bit of support he deserves.