A GIRL was left paralyzed and unable to speak after a bout of chickenpox caused two strokes.
Avy Berry, 6, suffered her first stroke just months after contracting the common childhood illness.
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She first had a transient ischemic attack – known as mini stroke – followed by an actual stroke, which meant she had to undergo brain surgery.
The little one was temporarily paralyzed and had to learn to speak again.
But just weeks after her recovery, Avy landed a year-long role in Hollyoaks, playing Scott Drinkwell’s adopted daughter Miley Carson.
The brave boy also landed a small film role, starring as an extra in the Paramount Pictures horror film. A peaceful place: first day.
Her mother, Fearne Collins, 31, said: “We are proud of her every day – she is so resilient.”
Fearne first noticed something was wrong with Avy in April 2022.
The child was sleeping but not very responsive and she was unable to use one side of her body.
Fearne called an ambulance, but by the time they arrived, Avy’s symptoms had stopped.
The mother was told that her daughter may have had a viral infection and was having a nightmare.
Fearne, from Middleton, Greater Manchester, then took Avy to A&E and a scan revealed she had actually had a mini stroke and was given low doses of blood thinners.
Avy then had an actual stroke and had brain surgery to correct the blood flow in her brain in October 2022.
Fearne said: “She is on high-dose blood thinners now, but that was 18 months ago and she has been stroke-free since then, which we are very pleased with.
“There are some things because it is a brain injury, so emotionally she still suffers a little and is quite sensitive.
“I think it’s a symptom of the stroke and brain injury.
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“But I also think some of it could be on the medical side, because it was horrible and there’s the trauma of being in the hospital.
“She was sleeping and then woke up every hour to do more blood tests and that was very difficult, having to hold her to get the needles.
“She still gets really scared if someone goes to the hospital.”
‘REALLY SPECIAL’ OPPORTUNITY
With just a few months of recovery, little Avy landed the role of Miley Carson in Hollyoaks and became an extra in A peaceful place: first day.
“She couldn’t even watch the movie because it’s a horror movie, which is really funny,” Fearne said.
“She can’t even see herself doing it. But for me it is very special that she is in the cinema.
“It’s really special that it’s worldwide because there are people from all over the world who are going to look after my daughter, so it’s quite surreal.
As a parent of a childhood stroke survivor, I know you think it won’t be you. But if you have instincts then go and check them
Fearne Collins
“But when we’re on set and I watch her, I find it quite stressful because she’s just my baby and she might not be in the mood for it.
“But generally she turns it on and does well on set.
Avy started acting when she was four and Fearne says she enjoys it because she likes “joking around” and talking to people on set.
She said: “She just likes to play – that’s what acting really is.
“I think that’s what she likes to do, and to be honest, she likes being the center of attention when she’s on set.
“She likes talking to all the adults and all the people on set – she really enjoys being around that.”
AWARENESS
Fearne is now trying to spread awareness about childhood strokes and encouraging parents to get their children checked if necessary.
Fearne, owner of acting school Elm Arts Company, said: “As a parent of a childhood stroke survivorso I know you think it won’t be you.
“But if you have instincts, then go and get it checked out.
“When I was in the hospital with Avy, only one person was allowed in, so it was often just me.
“The only comfort I found were news articles about children who had strokes, and seeing a positive story was helpful to me.”
The Terrible Side Effects of Chickenpox and How to Protect Your Child
An itchy, blotchy rash is the most recognizable symptom of chickenpox.
The disease occurs in three phases.
- Stage one: small red or pink spots appear anywhere on the body, including inside the mouth and around the genitals, which can be painful
- Stage two: the spots fill with liquid and turn into blisters, which are very itchy and can burst
- Stage three: the spots form a scab
Before or after the rash appears, you may also have:
- A high temperature
- Pain and general malaise
- Loss of appetite
Chickenpox usually improves on its own within one to two weeks, without needing to see a family doctor.
But you should get advice from 111 if:
- The skin around chickenpox blisters becomes hot, sore and red – note that redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin
- Your child has chickenpox and is dehydrated
- Chickenpox symptoms suddenly worsen
- You are pregnant and have never had chickenpox before, or you are not sure and have been around someone with chickenpox
- You have a weakened immune system and have been around someone with chickenpox
- You think your newborn baby has chickenpox
Chickenpox complications
Serious complications of chickenpox include:
- Bacterial skin and soft tissue infections in children, including group A streptococcal infections
- Infection of the lungs (pneumonia)
- Infection or swelling of the brain (encephalitis, cerebellar ataxia)
- Bleeding problems (bleeding complications)
- Bloodstream infections (sepsis)
- Dehydration
How to protect your child against chickenpox
Chickenpox is usually mild, but it can be serious for pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems.
The chickenpox vaccine is recommended to help protect people who are most at risk of becoming seriously ill from chickenpox.
You are eligible if all of the following apply:
- You are 9 months or older
- You’ve never had chickenpox before
- You are in regular or close contact with someone who is at risk of becoming seriously ill if they contract chickenpox, such as a child with leukemia or an adult receiving chemotherapy
Sources: NHS, CDC
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