A MOTHER has released a heart-breaking image of her two-year-old daughter
hours before she died suddenly of meningitis as she lobbies the Government
for a vaccine.
Little Faye Burdett was photographed with a painful rash covering her entire
body as she sadly lost her 11-day battle with the infection on Valentine’s
Day.
Mum Jenny, 36, and dad Neil Burdett, who are experiencing “a pain you
cannot describe” at the loss of their only child, have vowed to help
protect other children from the illness.
The parents, of Maidstone, Kent, first noticed the youngster was ill with
flu-like symptoms on February 2 and rushed her to hospital.
She was released after a number of tests, but her condition got worse and she
was rushed to King’s College Hospital in London the next day.
A week later, they were faced with the impossible choice to either let Faye
endure multiple potentially fatal limb amputations or let her slip away
naturally.
The brave parents made the decision to say goodbye at around 9pm on
Valentine’s night.
Beauty therapist Jenny said: “After a few days she seemed to have turned
a corner but the sepsis started to affect her more and the decision of limb
removal was made, but the extent of removal was massive, full leg amputation
and one arm and plastic surgery.
“But she was getting tired, her little body consumed by meningitis and
blood poisoning.
“We had to make the decision, a massive operation and she may die or we
let her go peacefully on her own accord.
“We decided the latter and then watched our little girl slip away and at
9pm February 14 she finally fell asleep forever.
“All this in only 11 days. Play forever in peace Faye.”
Jenny’s best friend Jody said: “Jenny said to me ‘I am in a pain I just
cannot describe’.
“I don’t know how many people could have made such a brave decision. It
must be the hardest decision in the world.
“I don’t know how anyone can cope.”
In September, babies born on or after July 1 were offered the vaccination as
part of their routine immunisation schedule – but older children like Faye
were not included.
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Close friend Jody Cox said: “Jenny said to me ‘I am in a pain I just
cannot describe’.
“I don’t know how many people could have made such a brave decision. It
must be the hardest decision in the world.
“I don’t know how anyone can cope.”
Jody explained that the family do not want Faye’s death to be in vain.
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