A LEGAL secretary whose son was born at just 27 weeks is putting her best foot forward to raise funds for the unit that kept him alive.
Gayle Palmer-Barber, 28, of Chester-based Walker Smith Way Solicitors, is supporting the neo-natal intensive care unit at University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust by running the London Marathon.
Gayle, who lives in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, aims to raise £5,000 for the unit where son Ethan, now eight, was looked after.
She said: “I was only 18-years-old when I found out I was pregnant, my head was full of how fabulous things are going to be. A bouncing healthy baby at the end of nine months, I guess it's what all parents believe.
“On December 14, 2000 my world stopped. The hospital found a problem with Ethan's blood supply and there was a chance neither of us would survive.
“Ethan was born three months early weighing just 1lb 8oz, a little more than a bag of sugar. He was ventilated and I was told that the next 24 hours were critical. I was amazed that his little body could take everything that was happening.”
Ethan’s health needed constant attention in his first three years of life.
“His determination, strength and perseverance are second to none. On the days when I questioned how I could keep going I would look at Ethan and see how hard he was fighting.”
Despite Ethan's ongoing health needs, Gayle passed her A-levels, a law degree and will qualify as a solicitor in 2012, supported by her firm, which has also donation to the cause.
Sponsor Gayle and husband Anthony: www.justgiving.com/gayle-palmer-barber.
