Help 14 year old Hayden recover.

Hi , My name is Katherine Susie Flanagan, and I am Haydens' Mum. In December 2020, we all caught covid, and Hayden has been extremely ill ever since. Initially, he experienced lots of headaches, fatigue and lack of smell. However, as the weeks passed, he experienced increased episodes of dizziness and then he complained of not being able to make a sentence. He is a grammar school boy who has always loved learning, and when I found him crying in his bedroom, unable even to start his homework, I was shocked and confused. His neurological symptoms multiplied and reminded me of my late father when he had dementia.

Hayden is diagnosed with Long Covid, and his quality of life has dramatically altered; he is now in bed for eighteen hours each day. He has severe fatigue and minimal physical energy, which requires him to use a wheelchair. When his energy is used, or his battery has run dry, he can't even hold his head up, let alone get out of bed.

Reading has always been one of his passions, but Covid has stolen that from him. He struggles with brain fog, although that is too much of a simple term to describe the memory, concentration and cognitive problems that Hayden now experiences. Even listening to a new audio book causes headaches and extra fatigue, so he can only listen to stories he has previously read.

I am in awe of my gorgeous son, who deserves so much better in life. The NHS hasn't helped much. It took months even to get a few minutes with a neurologist despite having 45 long covid symptoms that devastated his health.

I am fundraising to enable Hayden to have the opportunity to go to see a fantastic doctor who has been treating patients with post viral illness for many years and he is now treating patients with Long Covid.  The funds will also pay for immunologist and  cardiologist appointments.  Potential new treatments are being found all over the world, and as far as Hayden is concerned, he wants to leave no stone unturned until he gets his health and his life returned to him.

He is fourteen years old and should be able to thoroughly enjoy his excellent school, meet with friends, and make happy memories. Instead, his life revolves around his bed and being isolated in his bedroom. This Go Fund Me campaign will also pay for a power wheelchair and any other disability equipment that will aid his independence.

Please help me get investigations, treatment and equipment for my darling Hayden and get him his life back. Thank you all so much.

If you want to find out more about Long Covid in children , please go to this charity 

https://www.longcovidkids.org/