Brody, three, defies the doctors

Thursday, 03 May 2012

Nicki and Brody Barrington.

BRAVE little Brody Barrington has defied doctors’ expectations as he prepares to celebrate his milestone third birthday.
Resuscitated just six days after birth, parents Nicki and Shaun were told he wouldn’t make it past 12 months.
“It was completely out of the blue,” mum Nicki said. “There were no problems at all, until suddenly he had to be resuscitated.
“We couldn’t believe it – the day before he was just a healthy baby and there we were being told that he would die before he was one year old!”
Brody suffers from a number of health problems, including epilepsy, cerebral palsy, visual impairment and severe development delay.
The Cinderford tot is also wheelchair-bound, and has to cope with the rare microcephaly disease, for which there is no cure.
“His head is a lot smaller than it should be because of the microcephaly.
“There was a problem with his brain tissue which means his brain hasn’t grown,” Nicki explains.
“He really is a fighter though. He had to be rushed to Bristol in December to be put on life support and he was back there in January, but he’s still not giving up.”
Despite going through so much, Brody and the rest of the family are determined to stay positive.
“Even though he is blind, he still has a sharp ear – nothing gets past Brody!” Nicki laughs.
“He’s had so much to cope with, for him to be three soon is completely unbelievable. He sure has proved everyone wrong!”
Nicola is appealing for donations for a raffle to raise money for the James Hopkins Trust which was founded by a Littledean couple.
Describing it as a life-saver, Nicki said: “They come and look after him so well, they’ve been there through everything.
“They always check on our other kids as well to make sure they are coping with it all – when he was on life support they rang every day to check how it was going.”
Eight other Forest families use the trust, which needs £500,000 to extend and fund their overnight respite centre for children like Brody.
“They’re priceless – we would have broken if it wasn't for them. It gives us all a chance to take a break, and Brody gets the care he needs.
“Three of us mums are organising a disco at the Oaklands and a raffle to help try to raise the funds, but it’s really hard to get going.
“If anyone has anything they could donate it would really make a difference – we need to help keep the centre going for everyone who uses it.”
To help with raffle prizes, call Nicki on 01594 829183 or email nkkbarrington@googlemail.com

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3 comments on this news item

Posted by : sarah, cinderford | Monday 07/May/2012 | Report this comment

On Friday morning little brody was rushed to hospital in a critical condition. As brodys godmother i have seen first hand how hard and emotional it is to care for a child with problems like brody. Anyone who can help with the James Hopkins fundraiser please contact Nikki because they are invaluable with the support they provide

Posted by : Olliesmum, Gloucester | Sunday 06/May/2012 | Report this comment

Within 24 hours of this article Brody became critically ill and is on life support. His family are caring for him with their normal dedication and love. please think of them and try to support the James Hopkins Trust who support them at this difficult time. It is incomprehensible what Brody and his family deal with and any support that can be shown would be gratefully received.

Posted by : Simon, Gloucester | Thursday 03/May/2012 | Report this comment

Nicky is an inspiration to any one who has a disabled child I know her and Shaun personally and have known broady since he was born I can’t praise her and Shaun enough I have seen the amount of hours they have both spent at hospitals and I think it would have broke me. Broady is a happy child and that is down to all the family so please help in anyway you can to help all the family’s