Leamington mum in run to thank '˜amazing' hospital for caring for Jake

Julie Wall’s son Jake was born six weeks premature in June 2014 and at when he was just eight weeks old, he was diagnosed with craniosynostosis, which causes an irregular head shape and can cause learning difficulties, sight problems and headaches.

Jake, whose skull was the shape of a rugby ball, underwent surgery at Birmingham Children’s Hospital on the day he turned seven months old.

He was in theatre for six hours while surgeons removed his skull, took away the fused suture that had distorted its shape and then re-built his head shape.

Julie said: “It was a huge success. He was incredibly swollen following surgery, but as children do, he bounced back and we were home four days after the surgery.

“Now his brain now has space to grow and he has a much more rounded head shape.

“He is a lovely, lively, bright little boy now and none the wiser of his ordeal.”

Jake still goes to the hospital for check-ups every 18 months and will have to do so until he is in his teens.

Julie added: “Birmingham Children’s Hospital were amazing, from the first initial emotional outpatients appointment, to this very day. If I have a query or worry, they are there on the end of the phone. We will never be able to thank them enough.”

After having lost over four stone with Slimming World, Julie decided to run the Birmingham 10k - which takes place on May 1 - to raise funds for the hospital.

Still hoping to lose another three stone, Julie said: “I want to be a good role model and secure a healthier and happier future.

“I’ve done the Race for Life, but nothing on this scale and am excited and nervous to be a part of this.

“My training is going well - I started last year with the Couch-5k app and was hooked!”

To sponsor Julie, visit www.justgiving.com/jakecraniowarrior

To find out more about Birmingham Children’s Hospital, visit www.bch.nhs.uk