'Superhero' six-year-old to run with Paralympic heroes for hospital that saved his life
'Superhero' six-year-old to run with Paralympic heroes for hospital that saved his life
03 August 2017
“Superhero” Arlo Elwin will team up with athlete and cyclist Kadeena Cox to complete the final leg of a special triathlon event celebrating disability sports.
Little Arlo was born by emergency caesarean at Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital in west London after suffering several strokes inside his mother’s womb.
He was resuscitated by doctors and spent 11 days in intensive care before his condition stabilised and he could be reunited with his family.
Arlo now lives with cerebral palsy, limited vision and learning difficulties but is able to lead an otherwise normal life.
Next month he will sprint to the finish line for Team Kadeena at the Superhero Tri event at Dorney Lake, near Windsor.
The Elwins, who live in Hoxton, are raising money for Imperial Health Charity, which supports the work of the neonatal unit at Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea, as well as the four other hospitals of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. All the money they raise will go straight back to the neonatal unit that cared for Arlo.
Alice Elwin, Arlo’s mother, said: “Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea is the reason Arlo is still here today and doing so well.
“He spent 11 days on drugs and it was touch and go whether or not he would survive. He looked pretty lifeless and I wasn’t able to hold him for four days while he was being cooled.
“We were like zombies at the time and it was truly heartbreaking and awful to go through, but the care was amazing. The NHS is simply incredible and we can never put into words our appreciation for the care we received.”
During a routine appointment, Alice told doctors she had felt Arlo moving less than normal. Specialists found that Arlo’s heart rate was “distressed” and decided to perform an emergency caesarean.
Arlo suffered seizures three hours after birth and it was later discovered that he had also had strokes days before he was born.
He spent his first 11 days at the Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea neonatal unit before being moved to Homerton Hospital at the end of the month.
Despite his difficult start in life, the “cheeky” six-year-old has benefited from physiotherapy and other NHS treatments to help him stay active.
He was invited by his physio to take part in the Superhero Tri, organised by Paralympian Sophia Warner who also has cerebral palsy, to encourage disabled children to take part in sports.
Other celebrities joining the event include The Last Leg presenter Adam Hills and Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock.
Arlo will run and walk the final 1,000 metres of the course with the help of his family – Alice, Marcus and little brother Ezra (two) - after Kadeena and another team member have completed the swimming and cycling sections.
Marcus added: “We want to show Arlo that he can do anything he wants to with his determination and our support.”
Superhero Series founder and Paralympian Sophia Warner said: “I am thrilled that Arlo is joining forces with Team Kadeena to make a super team. The Celebrity Superhero Tri is going to be a fun-fuelled start to the Superhero Series, I cannot wait for August.”
To sponsor Arlo and support Imperial Health Charity, you can visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Alice-Elwin
