Health: Little fighter Eleanor’s tough start

ELEANOR Thompson was born weighing 1lb 4oz – little more than a bag of sugar.

Doctors and her parents feared she may not survive, but brave Eleanor proved them wrong.

Now, aged three, she has just started nursery and is a bright and cheerful little girl despite her traumatic start in life.

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Her courage has just been recognised by the charity Tommy’s where she was named Champion Child at their Let’s Get Baby Friendly Awards last week.

Eleanor was born at just 28 weeks gestation – 12 weeks early – after her mother Elizabeth’s blood pressure rocketed.

“We had no idea what condition she would be in,” says Elizabeth from Selby.

“At first she was very poorly. She was so small. They took her straight into intensive care.”

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Elizabeth and Andy were unable to hold their tiny baby for the first nine weeks of her life although they spent time with her every day. “That first cuddle was so important to me,” says Elizabeth.

But it would be another five months before they could take their little girl home. Eleanor’s lungs were so underdeveloped she needed oxygen to help her breathe. Eleanor still battles chronic lung disease because of her prematurity, and is deaf in both ears, but is on the waiting list for cochlear implants and is currently learning to sign with the help of her parents.

Eleanor’s parents, Andy and Elizabeth say: “We were surprised but delighted that Eleanor was nominated and has received the award. It’s a great recognition for everything she’s been through so far in her life and is thoroughly deserved.”

Guy Millman, consultant paediatrician at York Hospital has treated Eleanor since she left intensive care. He commented: “From the moment Eleanor came to our unit via Sheffield and Leeds NICUs we knew she was special. She had real fight, real personality and has shown these qualities on many occasions over the last three years. It is an absolute delight to be involved in looking after her as she grows and develops. She is very lucky to have had such dedicated parents who have kept the medical teams on their toes in achieving the best possible outcomes for their daughter.”

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Ian Clennan, Eleanor’s headteacher at Selby Community Primary School, has also been a great support. “Eleanor may have only been at our nursery for a short time, but in that time, she has been an inspiration to staff and pupils alike with her determination not to let her difficulties curb her desire to learn through play.”

Eleanor and Elizabeth attended the charity’s star-studded awards ceremony at the Langham Hotel in London. Eleanor received her Champion Children Award from singer and dad-of-one with Denise Van Outen, Lee Mead.

Tommy’s funds research into the causes and prevention of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth, with research centres in Edinburgh, Manchester and London.

In England and Wales alone, more than 100 babies are stillborn, nearly 4,000 women miscarry and nearly 2,000 babies are born prematurely each year. Tommy’s understands the heartache that can accompany the loss of a baby, as well as the incredible support provided to those suffering from pregnancy complications. As such, the charity sets out to recognise family members, friends and health professionals that go that extra mile in its annual Let’s Get Baby Friendly Awards ceremony.

CHILDREN WHO BEAT THE ODDS

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The Champion Children Award from Tommy’s, and Build-A-Bear Workshop, recognises children who were born prematurely, and who, after a difficult start in life, pulled through and survived against the odds. The Champion Children Award is a new award for the charity’s 2011 Let’s Get Baby Friendly Awards – an annual event which aims to recognise those that have suffered through a pregnancy complication and the medical professionals, family and friends that have helped them.

The awards started in 1995 to raise awareness of the needs of parents with small children, and to encourage companies to take their needs into account.

Since the launch of the awards, Tommy’s has credited nearly 200 organisations for vast improvements and higher levels of service for parents with babies and young children.

www.tommys.org

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