Appeal to buy artificial legs for Coventry four-year-old
The father of a four-year-old boy who had to have both of his legs amputated is aiming to raise £100,000 to pay for artificial legs for him as well as his ongoing care.Kaylan, from Coventry, was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital on 14 December with septic shock and spent more than a month in intensive care.His father, Tom, said his son's limbs turned black and doctors decided his legs would have to be amputated if he was going to survive.Tom said his son still does not completely understand and asks for "his old legs back".
Over the August Bank Holiday, Tom plans to walk up Yr Wyddfa - also known as Snowdon - in Wales, Scafell Pike in England and Ben Nevis in Scotland, to raise money.He will take on the challenge with his brother, his brother's partner and a cousin and said: "I'd walk to the end of the earth for my son."
When Kaylan first became ill, Tom said doctors said it was probably a stomach bug.But when he became "floppy, limp and developed a purple rash", he and Kaylan's mother took him to Nuneaton's George Eliot Hospital.He was later transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital where he spent more than 80 days.At one point Tom said they were told Kaylan's chance of survival "was extremely slim". His son is now home and Tom said he was "doing OK" but was very upset.
Kaylan's mother, Tora, said it would be six months before a prosthetics team would get in touch with them because experts were waiting "for his legs to heel".The mother added doctors said he had "just got a stomach bug" and "the next day Kaylan was so [confused] he didn't even know where his mum was and I was right there"."Every single night I stayed. I slept on the chair," she said."I couldn't leave him...I've not seen as many machines around a kid in my life."
Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
I always lose my erection when I'm with my girlfriend because she reminds me of my late mother – it feels like incest
The thought that my interest in her is some sort of weird incest thing makes me feel sick DEAR DEIDRE I always lose my erection when I'm with my girlfriend because she reminds me of my late mother – it feels like incest DEAR DEIDRE: SEX with my girlfriend is a flop – and I'm worried it's because she reminds me of my late mother. She's not my normal type at all, but I love being around her. Advertisement It's just whenever we try to have sex, I lose my erection. I'm 57 and have been divorced for four years. A few months ago, I decided to try dating again. I quickly met my now girlfriend, 48, on a dating site. I generally like petite, dark women, and she's tall and curvy with blonde hair, just like my mother was. That did unsettle me a little, but I brushed the thought away. Advertisement Her personality instantly attracted me. She is so warm, kind and funny, and she has a successful career. We had lots of interests in common too. When we met up, I realised I had developed strong feelings for her. Being around her felt comfortable and easy. We had lots of kisses and cuddles, and held hands in the street. So, the first time we went to bed together, I wasn't worried. But, within a couple of minutes, I lost my erection — and whatever we tried, I couldn't get it back. Advertisement Dear Deidre: Understanding why your man's gone off sex This has never happened before. I've tried to reassure her that I do find her attractive, but it's starting to affect our relationship, and I'm now questioning whether the problem is her resemblance to my mother. The thought that my interest in her is some sort of weird incest thing makes me feel sick. Of course, I haven't mentioned this subject to her. Please help before she leaves me. Advertisement DEIDRE SAYS: Being attracted to someone who looks like your mother isn't uncommon, and doesn't mean you ever wanted an incestuous relationship. Perhaps you're so comfortable around this woman because she feels familiar. But now you've focused on this, it has understandably become a turn-off. And, like any psychological problem affecting sex, the more you worry, the more your erection problem happens. Then again, you're now 57, so it's possible there's a physical reason behind your inability to sustain arousal. See your GP to rule out any health problems. My support pack, Erection Issues, has more information about this. Advertisement Sometimes, taking sex off the table for a while helps arousal to come back naturally. And the better you get to know your girlfriend, the less like your mum she will seem. Get in touch with Deidre Every problem gets a personal reply, usually within 24 hours weekdays. Send an email to deardeidre@ You can also send a private message on the DearDeidreOfficial Facebook page. FAMILY LEFT ON THE BRINK OVER VIOLENT YOUNGER SIS DEAR DEIDRE: MY younger sister is spiralling out of control, it's destroying our family. She's become increasingly violent and, the other day, when we had a row, she punched me in the face, leaving me with a black eye. I'm scared she's going to seriously hurt someone – or herself. She's 26 and I'm her 29-year-old big brother. She's had behavioural problems since she was a teenager and has dabbled with drugs and alcohol too. Yesterday, our dad tried to talk to her, and she threatened to jump out of the window, just to get attention. Advertisement Our parents are at a loss as to how to deal with her. They are distraught and I can see it's taking a toll on their health. I know she needs professional help – maybe even to be sectioned – but I don't know where to start. DEIDRE SAYS: Few people realise how much someone's mental health struggles impact the whole family. You're right to be concerned and it does sound like your sister needs specialist help. You and your parents also need support. Advertisement Contact Rethink Mental Illness ( which helps people with mental health problems, and their loved ones. It has a Siblings Network. If she's in denial, you could also try talking to your sister's GP. Tell them you're worried she's a danger to herself and others. BLOKE'S PLAYING WITH MY FEELINGS DEAR DEIDRE: I KNOW I should leave my on-off boyfriend, but every time I break up with him, he love bombs me until I take him back. I don't feel like he's really there for me and whenever he lets me down, I end up turning to drink. We've been in a relationship for five years and are both in our mid-30s. When we first started seeing each other, he was the perfect boyfriend – making me feel I was special. Then he disappeared. I was just starting to get over him, when he came back and started up with the love bombing again. Since then, we've been in this constant pattern. Our relationship is always conducted on his terms. It's making me feel so confused and I have no idea how he really feels about me. But I still love him. DEIDRE SAYS: This relationship doesn't sound healthy for you. Love bombing someone isn't the same as loving them – it's manipulation. He seems incapable of committing to a proper relationship, and after five years, things are highly unlikely to change. You deserve better. Read my support pack, Addictive Love, for more advice on how to deal with this type of relationship. Counselling could help. Perhaps it's time to take control and walk away from him for good. FEEL GUILTY FOR JAILING VILE EX DEAR DEIDRE: WHEN my abusive ex was sent to jail for his violent behaviour, I thought I'd finally feel safe and happy. But instead, I just feel sorry for him and I'm scared that when he comes out he will convince me to take him back. Advertisement We were together for ten years and have a daughter together. I'm 30 and he's 42. He was physically abusive throughout our relationship and it got worse when I was pregnant. I often felt in danger for my life. For a long time, I was scared to leave. Then I became afraid he'd start on our little girl. I told him I wanted to break up. He said if I left, he'd break both my legs and put me in hospital for months, so I couldn't look after her. I went to the police and got a non-molestation order. But he broke it. As he had previous convictions, he ended up being sent down for three years. Advertisement I can't move on. I keep thinking about him, feeling guilty that he's in jail because of me. I still love him and worry he might manipulate me into giving him another chance. What can I do to stop feeling like this? DEIDRE SAYS: He's in prison because of his own actions. You protected yourself and your daughter which was the right thing to do and have no reason to feel guilty. But your conflicted feelings are natural. You have a child together, and presumably some happy memories. Try to remind yourself how much he hurt you emotionally and physically. Advertisement Talking to one of the organisations listed in my support pack, Abusive Partner, and having counselling, will help you to work through your feelings and to build your strength so that you're in a stronger place mentally when he comes out. You can also get legal advice from Rights of Women ( 020 7251 6577).
The Courier
6 hours ago
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: 'Large-scale' investigation launched into Blairgowrie care home after complaint over care of resident
A 'large-scale' investigation has been launched into a Blairgowrie care home after a complaint over the care of a resident. Perth and Kinross care chiefs are probing Muirton House Care Home, which supports elderly people and those with dementia and learning difficulties. It follows a complaint from the family of a resident at the home, 40-year-old Heather Sandilands, who claimed she was not being given the proper care or support. The Care Inspectorate upheld a complaint made about Muirton House, including that Heather – who has Down syndrome and type one diabetes – was given 'inadequate access to meaningful social and recreational activities'. She was eventually moved from the Essendy Road home after eight years. Heather's sister Kirsty Cambridge, who is her welfare guardian, told The Courier that Muirton House seemed a good fit for her when she moved in. Kirsty said: 'She had a fantastic life there, better than I felt I could've provided myself. 'They were always out doing things, non-stop activities. 'I saw on Facebook all the things they were up to – they went to great lengths to make it a family home. 'Then came Covid, and all the activities stopped, and Heather started to have some behavioural issues. 'When lockdown passed, life went back to normal, but there were some staff changes at the home with new management. 'Heather used to spend the money I'd send her for when they were out doing things. 'I noticed she wasn't spending any money, and I could see on the Facebook photos her hair was long – she hates long hair. 'I phoned up to ask, and they told me they didn't have enough staff to take her out to do these things, like going to the hairdresser.' Kirsty claims Heather was being kept occupied by activities like cleaning her room instead of going swimming and out to eat food. 'Her life became like lockdown, and then the behaviour started again,' Kirsty said. 'I felt I had no alternative but to go to the Care Inspectorate.' All four parts of Kirsty's complaint to the Care Inspectorate were upheld. The watchdog found that: The report said: 'Ms Sandilands did not experience care planning reflective of her needs, wishes, choices and stress and distress symptom management.' Kirsty says when she saw the report, she was 'horrified' and it was 'actually worse than I realised'. In April 2025, Heather was given 28 days to leave Muirton House on the grounds it was unable to meet her clinical care needs. She has since been moved into a new care home in Clackmannanshire, closer to her sister. Off the back of concerns raised about the home, Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership has launched a 'large-scale' investigation – a multi-agency probe that takes place when people may be at risk of harm in a care setting. The partnership is made up of representatives from Perth and Kinross Council, NHS Tayside and other agencies. A spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership is undertaking a large-scale inquiry into Muirton House. 'We are working with the provider, residents, other placing local authorities and families, as well as the Care Inspectorate, to ensure that any issues identified are resolved promptly and all residents receive the highest possible standards of care and support.' A spokesperson for Muirton House, which is run by Larchwood Care, said: 'It would not be right for us to discuss publicly any individual and their care needs. 'We are working with the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership to ensure that the care and support provided is of the required standard. 'The informal feedback has been very positive, and where necessary, changes have been made. 'We are confident in the care and support provided.'
BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
Warwickshire off-duty PCs praised for saving man's life
A police force has praised two off-duty officers for saving the life of a cyclist who had suffered a cardiac officers Sam Long and Faye Gardner were on their way home from the Two Castles Run in Warwickshire on Sunday when the man, part of a cycling group on a 45m (72km) ride, collapsed near Hampton Long and Gardner stopped and performed CPR until paramedics arrived."I don't know if it's the nature of the job, but we didn't think twice about stopping," said PC Gardner. Warwickshire Police said the man was now recovering in force said doctors told the officers the man would almost certainly have died without their quick Gardner said when the paramedics took over, they used a defibrillator to restart the man's heart."By the time he left, he was up and talking to paramedics, which was amazing," she added."It was a crazy half an hour, but we're glad we could help and to be completely honest, I'm prouder of that than I am of finishing the race!"We'd like to wish him a speedy recovery and hope he's back out on his bike soon." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
