On November 31st 2016 Mason fell ill with meningococcal septicaemia, this is an aggressive infection that attacks all main organs and can result in loss of life.
Spending the night of 31st November 2016 with his grandparents, they noticed that he had a high temperature and cold extremities, with him growing more restless and the temperature persisting they took him to A&E.
After his initial examination they gave him paracetamol and his temperature reduced as expected. Mason was sent home, however within an hour of returning to his grandparents, Mason awoke vomiting and shaky and 3 purple blotches were noticed on his chest - typical of a meningitis rash, he was then rushed back to A&E and immediately diagnosed with meningitis B.
Within 12 hours Mason and his parents were taken to St. Mary’s hospital in Paddington, London, here Mason was admitted to PICU (Paediatric intensive care Unit) , being kept alive by kidney dialysis and continued life support for 3 weeks.
On December 22nd 2016 Mason was transferred to Broomfield hospital in Chelmsford, this has a specialised burns unit, and is better prepared to deal with the next stage of Masons treatment. on Christmas Eve Mason underwent 6 hours of surgery resulting in multiple amputations - he had both legs above the knee amputated, his left forearm and thumb and fingertips from his right hand, this has left Mason with a lifelong requirement for reconstructive and rehabilitative surgery.
Over the next 2 months Mason had 3 rounds of skin grafts taken, one taken from his back and twice from his head, he had physiotherapy on a regular basis to regain movement of his limbs also he needed to re- learn to balance whilst sitting and bum shuffle as he was now without his full limbs.
Mason finally came out of hospital in April 2017after a total of 4 months, we are now 6 years on and this little boy amazes us and all those around him every day with his strength of character and determination, he has adapted so well.
When we were in St Marys, Paddington, one of the nurses told us we had our little boy back just in different packaging - this was so true and such a comfort that we still had Mason and his amazing personality.
He uses an electric wheelchair, but also has prosthetic legs, he is in mainstream school and doing exceptionally well, Mason plays PS4 which astounds us the way he works the controller, he is a true inspiration.
Elaine Blackaby
Sept 2023