Olivia Story's Story
"Our Little Fighter"
A little about us
We are olivia's parents - Mike and Kim, from Carlisle. Olivia contracted meningitis when she was 2, with no other signs or symptoms other than being a little off colour. She very quickly became seriously ill and it is only because Kim slept with her that night (as she always did when Olivia was ill) and the skill of the paramedics and staff at Carlisle and Newcastle that she survived.We spent over a month in hospital with Olivia. Her organs failed and her heart stopped. We thought we had lost her. The doctors battled to save her and stop the spread of the deadly septicaemia which was slowly turning her limbs black. Unfortunately, 3 of her limbs had to be amputated to save her life, probably by coincidence, the hand we were holding was saved.
Olivia is probably not what you would imagine her to be like. She does not currently use a wheelchair and there isn't much she cannot do. She is very determined and independent.
Olivia's illness turned all our lives upside down and we now spend a large part of our life trying to raise money for Olivia's trust and also to raise awareness of meningitis and the awful consequences it can have. We are lucky because our Olivia survived and we have the support of many many people (see the Thanks page)
Our Aims
Our aim is to be able to provide Olivia with the best prosthetics available. Currently the NHS supply the limbs Olivia uses, but these are the most basic. The prosthetics department in Carlisle is excellent and we feel we are lucky as the treatment we get there is second to none. However they are constrained by budget, as is all of the NHS.
Olivia currently receives ar
ound 4 pairs of legs a year and 2 prosthetic arms roughly. The arms she gets are not functional, ie. they have no moving parts but we are trialling a myo-electric limb but this is proving to be quite heavy and difficult for Olivia to control.
In the future, when Olivia is older. We hope technology in this area will have advanced significantly. Currently the best prostheic hand available (privately) is the I-Limb from Touch Bionics.
The best realistic covers for these prosthetics we feel are available from Dorset Orthopaedic, but again, very expensive
There have been several successful hand transplants and this is also an option we would like Olivia to have when she is older, however there would need to be significant advances in immunosuppressant drugs to make this worthwhile and also this is very costly.
Olivia currently receives ar
ound 4 pairs of legs a year and 2 prosthetic arms roughly. The arms she gets are not functional, ie. they have no moving parts but we are trialling a myo-electric limb but this is proving to be quite heavy and difficult for Olivia to control.In the future, when Olivia is older. We hope technology in this area will have advanced significantly. Currently the best prostheic hand available (privately) is the I-Limb from Touch Bionics.
The best realistic covers for these prosthetics we feel are available from Dorset Orthopaedic, but again, very expensive
There have been several successful hand transplants and this is also an option we would like Olivia to have when she is older, however there would need to be significant advances in immunosuppressant drugs to make this worthwhile and also this is very costly.
Can You Help?
Check out the website, see what you think and say Hi on the Guestbook!!
If you would like to organise something or do something for us then please give us a shout! Anything is greatly received!
We can help with sponsorship forms and Info. Posters and tickets. Publicity and TV if required
if you have any ideas or just want to say Hi! then please get in touch!
We are more than happy to answer any questions about the trust or meningitis or Olivia (some people don't like to ask, but it is fine!)
If you would like to speak to us or donate some money, or hold an event then please use the contact page here but don't forget to include your contact details if you want us to contact you!!
Alternatively, you can email Mike here or Kim here if you would prefer to speak to us, then please give us a call on 01228 532287 and leave a message.
If you would like to organise something or do something for us then please give us a shout! Anything is greatly received!
We can help with sponsorship forms and Info. Posters and tickets. Publicity and TV if required
if you have any ideas or just want to say Hi! then please get in touch!
We are more than happy to answer any questions about the trust or meningitis or Olivia (some people don't like to ask, but it is fine!)
If you would like to speak to us or donate some money, or hold an event then please use the contact page here but don't forget to include your contact details if you want us to contact you!!
Alternatively, you can email Mike here or Kim here if you would prefer to speak to us, then please give us a call on 01228 532287 and leave a message.