Toddler who is Britain's youngest stroke victim goes blind while having lifesaving treatment leaving parents heartbroken

A 20-month-old toddler who is believed to be Britain's youngest ever stroke victim has gone blind while having lifesaving treatment in hospital.

 

Ronnie Kerman, a twin, suffered a stroke caused by a brain tumour. In early February, he became floppy and lifeless and was rushed to the hospital by his parents, Phil and Louise, while his twin, Robert was kept with their grandparents. 

 

At the hospital, he had excruciating shunts put into his head to drain the fluid from one of the cysts in his brain which left a visible scar on his skull. He also started chemotherapy in a bid to shrink the non-cancerous tumour.

 

Phil and Louise were by their son's side all through but received the shock of their life when doctors informed them that Ronnie had gone blind. 

"He can’t see anything at all and I found that really heartbreaking that he will potentially never see again," Ronnie's father said.

"I can deal with the brain tumour and him going through chemo, but the thought of him not having his sight is just heartbreaking. I want to take all the pain away and I would love to give him my sight. Me and my wife have broken down crying a few times and we both just want to cuddle him and do everything a parent should do with their child."

The Kermans have been told Ronnie’s sight could come back. However, it is very unlikely.

Mr Kerman said: "I’m keeping all my fingers crossed that he will regain a bit of sight once the tumour has gone. They have said it is unlikely his sight will come back at all but miracles do happen

Mr Kerman, 39, said: "We only got to see his scars in the last couple of days when they took the bandages off and I was amazed how big the scar was. To see that on a 20-month-old baby was scary. But we’ve been reassured that his hair will grow back and as he grows the scar will reduce."

Ronnie started his chemotherapy treatment at Leeds General Infirmary yesterday with his family, including his parents and his four-year-old sister Emily, by his side. His grandparents have been looking after Ronnie’s twin brother Robert at the family home in Bransholme.

It’s thought Ronnie will need chemotherapy every week for a year and the Kermans hope he may soon be able to return home to continue his treatment at Hull Royal Infirmary.