“The worst day of my life started as a lovely day at home. We’d just come back from the shops, and I popped Sid, who was just three at the time, into the front room. I closed the safety gate behind me and went to make us lunch.
“Out of sight, my little boy managed to open the gate and climb the stairs to a first-floor window ledge. From the open window, he fell onto the concrete below.
“What happened next is a blur. There was a lot of blood. Sid was having a seizure, and the right side of his body was moving, but his left wasn’t. The shape of his face had changed. I was terrified, and in that moment, I was sure I’d lost my baby boy.
“Once we got to hospital, the doctors took over, and Sid was taken straight into surgery to treat two skull fractures. They told me they weren’t sure he was going to make it, and although I was grateful for their honesty, I was really panicking inside. I was more worried than I’d ever been in my life.
“As my other children sat by his bedside, singing to Sid as he lay in a coma, my thoughts turned to his future, and how uncertain it was. I knew that, whatever happened, I would always be with him, and I would spend every moment helping him reach his full potential.
“And I’d soon learn there was an entire team of people who would share my hopes and dreams for Sid – a wonderful community ready to do everything they could to help him achieve his best.
When a child has a devastating brain injury, the amazing team at The Children’s Trust will do everything they can to give them the best life possible.
“When we first arrived at The Children’s Trust, I have to admit my belief in Sid’s abilities was quite low. It was all so new, and I didn’t know how anyone would be able to help him. But as the days went by, I saw how much the team adored him, how much care they were taking, and how hard they were working to give him confidence again.
“It felt like we were part of one big family, all working together to help Sid do his best.
Sid taking part in The Children’s Trust Elf Fun during his rehabilitation placement
“Sid started making progress every day. He’s always been active and sociable, and he threw himself into every therapy session, every new challenge, every chance to learn. It made me so proud to see how much effort he was putting in – whether it was swimming, cycling, or painting, he gave it his all.
“It inspired me to have confidence in my son, and in myself. The Children’s Trust taught me that the more time and space I give, the more patience I have, and the more effort we both put in, the more he can achieve.
“I can’t really put into words the difference The Children’s Trust has made for my son, and just saying ‘thank you’, both to the team and supporters, doesn’t seem big enough. Our next goal is for Sid to walk again unaided, and one day, I’d like him to be a doctor – but I always want him to know that his future is in his own hands!
“Although we were all on our own journeys, I used to pray for the other children we met at The Children’s Trust. Now, all I want is for any child who needs it to have the same specialist care and support we did, and for our experience to be matched, over and over again.
"When a child has a brain injury, The Children’s Trust must be able to provide the specialist care they need. Even though it was hard, Siddique walked, cycled and swam every day to get better..."
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