Mum of Newry tot: 'Freak choking accident could happen to anybody'

Little Harry Collins, who turns two in a few weeks, spent 16 weeks in hospital after he choked on his lunch.

He was starved of oxygen to his brain for over three-quarters of an hour with Harry putting up a brave fight for life.

The community in Newry has rallied around the family, with a ‘Hike for Harry’ up Slieve Donard taking place at the weekend, raising £13,000.

Harry’s mum, Shauna, explained what happened on September 1 last year.

“He was literally just having his lunch,” she said.

“Like any other child, he would have been inclined to put as much into his mouth as he could.

“He brought it back up but on this occasion he couldn’t get a breath.

“When we took him to Daisy Hill he was in cardiac arrest. He was starved of oxygen for 45 to 50 minutes. They worked on him for 29 minutes.

“We were told there was nothing more they could do but they got the pulse just in time - they can only work on a child for half an hour.”

Harry was stabilised in Daisy Hill and then transferred to the Royal, spending 16 weeks in hospital altogether.

Harry has been diagnosed with a hypoxic brain injury and four limb movement disorder with predominant dystonia.

His vision has also been impaired, he now needs help eating and he has also been given a gastronomy tube.

“He will always be in a wheelchair. The brain damage is done, it’s what he can do down the line with physios, OTs and other services,” added Shauna.

“We are working on his eyesight at the minute as there are different things we can do to stimulate his eyes but nobody knows what other medical issues will come out of it down the line.”

It’s something that could so easily happen to any child, with life-changing consequences.

“If this does anything it will raise awareness of how easily this could happen to any child. I always had a fear of choking but I never thought it would happen to my own,” admitted Shauna.

“It was just a complete freak accident but it could happen to anybody.

“The doctors said there was no explanation for it, that his wee body just went into shock. Nobody will be able to tell us why he couldn’t take a breath after it.

“It’s been life-changing for everybody, not just for us as his parents. His older brother is only three and it’s life-changing for him.

“That happened to Harry on September 1 and he didn’t come home until just before Christmas. He came home a different child.

“It’s a lot of trauma for him to work through.

“But Harry is here. Whatever is thrown at us, we will work through it. Harry fought so hard to be here. We just have to give him the best quality of life that we can.”

To that end a hike took place on Saturday past, six months to the day since Harry began fighting for his life.

Between donations and sponsors £13,000 were raised with over 40 hikers taking part along with support from local search and rescue teams.

Harry’s family have been overwhelmed by the support they have received.

“The people of Newry and afar, the generosity, support and kindness that they have shown has been unbelievable,” said Shauna. “It hits everybody because it’s something people can relate to.

Originally seven people agreed to do the hike but as word got out more and more people wanted to get involved.

“I agreed to it because if Harry can fight every day of his life then I can push myself to the top of Donard. That’s how it started.

“The support has been unbelievable. Our local football club have even got involved.”

“It’s just touched so many hearts,” said Harry’s aunt, Angela Campbell.

“So many people have said that for every hard step they have to take they’ll think of this wee man.”

Added Shauna: “We did a coffee morning in November because Harry needed a special car seat which costs £4,400.

“Honestly, I’ve never seen a crowd at a coffee morning like it. The place was full.”

Angela said that any fundraising would go towards making life easier for the family.

“As a family, the only thing we can do is help ease any financial burden. We can be here for Shauna and help her emotionally but she shouldn’t have to worry about financial things.

“I get goosebumps when I think about the support because there’s so much talk about bad people, I think I had actually lost sight of how good people are.

“Over the last six months people’s kindness has just blown me away. Nothing has ever been too much.”