RUN POSTPONED DATE TO BE CONFIRMED ❤️ Heroes for Henry-5k Easter Rabbit Fun Run
12 April 2020
RUN POSTPONED NEW DATE TO BE CONFIRMED ❤️
Henry was born 10 weeks and 2 days early together with his identical twin brother Percy. On day 1, it was discovered that Henry was in acute kidney failure and had suffered a severe brain injury. This was later diagnosed as bilateral cystic periventricular leukomalacia, a loss of white matter to both sides of the brain together with cyst formation. Henry shortly recovered from kidney failure and was weaned off a ventilator on to high pressure oxygen support. Henry spent 14 weeks in neonatal care across 4 different hospitals and during this time he had 6 ambulance transfers, 1 surgery, 5 different types of oxygen support, 1 blood transfusions, endless blood tests and heel pricks, 2 retinopathy of prematurity screenings, 2 hearing screenings and multiple ultrasounds and ECGs. Since Henry's discharge from neonatal care he has also been diagnosed with cerebral palsy which has been classified as level 5, severe on the gross motor function classification system, infantile spasms, a rare form of seizures and epilepsy, bilateral hearing loss and has been been registered as severely vision impaired. Henry also has chronic lung disease due to his prematurity and as a result has had hospital admissions due to recurrent respiratory infections.
Henry struggles with movement due to his variable tone, ranging from very high to very low. Whilst due to lots of intense therapy Henry was making progress with head control, sitting and standing since his most recent infantile spasms and epilepsy diagnosis and the medications required to try and control the seizures Henry's tone has lowered and his ability to hold his weight has fallen away. Henry is fully fed through an NG tube but does enjoy tastes of food. His sight is limited and his hearing is impaired but he really enjoys listening and of all his senses this is most definitely his strength.
Since leaving neonatal care in May 2018, Henry as been involved in multiple NHS and public therapies but due to lessening public resources these just aren't enough to allow Henry to reach the best of his abilities. Because of this in December 2018 we joined forces with Just4Children, a charity that helps families to fundraise for their children's therapies so they can have better access to everything that is available to support children with additional needs. Since this time Henry has been able to access regular private physiotherapy, occupational therapy, conductive education, sound therapy, hippotherapy, speech and language therapy and intensive physiotherapy courses. The progress we have seen has been amazing and although Henry's skills have taken a hit with his recent diagnosis we are hopeful that those skills can be rebuilt if we continue to access the great therapies we have been so fortunate to attend thanks to the generous donations we have received.
Henry will require therapies for the rest of his life and we want to make sure that he can continue to access them. Because of this we continue to fundraise and as a result we get to organise amazing events like this with the help of the Rotary Club, Asda Newton Abbot and lots of volunteers.
On the 12th April 2020, Easter Sunday we are organising a 5k Easter Rabbit Fun Run around west Newton Abbot, starting at 10am from Asda Rear Car Park, Newton Abbot, registration will open from 9.15am. The event will be timed and there will be prizes for the female and male adult runners and 11-15 year old runner with the fastest time. We would love for as many people as possible to take part in the run, it will be great fun, all for a good cause and will set you up well for all of those Easter Eggs. The fun run will start from ASDA running up Bradley Lane towards Bradley Manor and woodland running back towards the driveway that leads to Totnes Rd. Down Totnes Rd and into Bradley Park and circling the park making your way to the Lemon Valley Path which leads back to the entrance of ASDA. From there runners will move towards the Clock Tower up Bank St and then around ASDA towards the finish line. Everyone is welcome walk or run. The race will be open for the first 250 participants and all runners will receive a Heroes for Henry Medal.
You up can sign up via the entry fee tabs and if you have friends or family who wish to sponsor you they can also do so via the donation tabs. Thank you all, we look forward to seeing you there.
Henry needs your help so we can give Henry his best chance of leading a full and rewarding future.
Finally can I ask all of you to send the details of this event to all your friends, family and work colleagues please, via Facebook, Instagram , email and any other way you can help raise awareness of this event.
Many thanks Carly, Harry, Henry and Percy Millman.
Highweek Street
Newton Abbot
TQ12 1TG
Registration open from: 09:15:00
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