Romford boy back at school eight months after brain op mishap

Daniel Wraight learnt to walk at the trust (Image: Archant)

Daniel Wraight, an eight-year-old pupil at Rush Green Junior School, in Dagenham Road, couldn’t walk and couldn’t feed himself after complications during an operation to remove fluid on his brain in May.

After receiving intense rehabilitation at The Children’s Trust, in Tadworth, Surrey, Daniel has eventually returned home.

His mum, Kerri Garwood, 28, of Rush Green Gardens, said it all began when Daniel started having vision problems and headaches.

The mum-of-two said: “We visited the optician, who told us to take him straight to A&E, where we learned that he had water on the brain. Everything happened so fast, it was extremely frightening.”

Daniel was given treatment at Queen’s Hospital, in Rom Valley Way, Romford, and was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital, in central London, for surgery to drain the fluid.

Whilst waiting on Daniel’s return from surgery, his parents were told there had been complications which had resulted in a possible brain injury.

He was put in an induced coma for a week and when he awoke could barely talk.

“We were in limbo, I didn’t know if Daniel would regain his skills again and if I’d ever get my little boy home,” said Kerri. “Then he started to improve and after five months started taking steps. We knew then we were on the right road,” Daniel has been at The Children’s Trust’s unique rehabilitation centre for acquired brain injury since October, where he received intense therapy and physiotherapy.

“The staff at the trust were amazing and so welcoming,” said Kerri. “Daniel and I were nervous wrecks when we arrived. I sat in on the first few therapy sessions and I was happy, knowing that he was capable of doing it on his own. The therapy was outstanding. He is such a different boy. He arrived at The Children’s Trust hardly able to walk but he left running!

“Through this whole journey, Daniel hasn’t complained once; he’s soldiered through and been so brave. We are delighted to have him back. I’d like to say thank you to the hospital staff, Trust staff and Daniel’s school who have been a crucial source of support throughout.”

Daniel said: “I’m happy to be back at school to see all my friends. They all ran to see me in the playground. But I did enjoy The Children’s Trust. I got to go horse riding for the first time when I was there and I made some new friends.”

For further information about childhood acquired brain injury visit: www.braininjuryhub.co.uk or www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk