Help Daniel left paralysed by a large brain tumour

Daniel is our 15 yr old son, brother to Matthew, and the two are the absolute best of friends. Daniel is looking forward to having his own family, and a career as an architect.

On 1st February 2021 I took Daniel for an eye test as he was having trouble reading at school, was unsteady on his feet and kept having headaches. Next, we were sent immediately on blue lights to King’s College Hospital in London. Daniel had a very rare, extremely large, pineal germ cell brain tumour, which was adhered to his brain stem. The tumour was 5cm x 3cm.

Daniel is the most kind, sweet, warm-hearted and generous boy. All who meet him comment on his lovely manners. He also has an absolutely wicked sense of humour. His aspirations are something he has already dreamed of for quite a while. He was receiving excellent reports and A* grades from school. For him to not achieve would be devastating.

Due to complications post surgery, unrelated to the brain tumour itself, Daniel unfortunately was to endure other severe medical problems that have rendered his left leg permanently paralysed from the calf down to his toes. This impacts severely upon his activities of daily living, his ability to go anywhere outside (particularly independently), his safety, and his mental health wellbeing. At 15 years old he has his whole life ahead, with a serious disability that was not expected, or planned for.

Daniel also needs a long journey of assisted cognitive therapy. He needs to learn how to use working memory, analyse what is being taught, store it in his memory, and then to have the ability to retrieve that information later. Daniel therefore needs to be able to carry out meaningful tasks in order to facilitate a smooth return to education as soon as is possible for him.

As a qualified nurse I know we can do this - all of us together - it’s just going to be a long tough road. I am convinced that one day, in the not too distant future, there will be a beautiful building erected somewhere, with Daniel being the Lead Architect.

Any assistance to bring Daniel’s independence back, along with his warm winning smile, would be greatly appreciated!

Love Sophie

(Daniel’s Mum)