'We watched him deteriorate, cry in pain, struggle to breathe': Parents of Harvey Morrison Sherratt
David Raleigh
The parents of nine-year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt told a march held in his memory in Dublin today, they “watched him deteriorate, cry in pain, struggle to breathe and lose the sparkle in his eye” as he waited years for surgery to correct a curve on his spine.
Harvey’s mother, Gillian Sherratt told the public rally, which called for more timely access to treatment for children with complex health needs, including spina bifida and scoliosis, that much of her son’s “painfully short life” was “spent waiting”.
“He was made wait for everything, but he asked for nothing,” Ms Sherratt said.
”Harvey was nine, he waited for 33 months for scoliosis surgery, and in that time, the curve of his spine went from 75 degrees to 130 degrees.
“He had to have his whole life put on hold while he waited. We canceled family holidays, canceled our wedding, postponed his sister's heart surgery...as he sat and waited for a date for surgery.
“We had to watch him deteriorate, cry in pain, struggle to breathe and lose the sparkle in his eye over those 33 months.
“Most importantly though, it robbed him of his childhood, it robbed him of his comfort, it robbed him of his quality of life, and it robbed us of the opportunity to make precious family memories with him… that to us, is something we will never get over.”
“This is why we'll continue to advocate. What we have been through, what Harvey lived through was so destroying, but we will keep going and keep pushing in the hopes that no family faces what we have faced.
“While Harvey was alive, we had to be his voice. We had to act as the vessels he spoke through, and voice his wants and needs. And this is something we vow to continue to do for others.
“All Harvey wanted was his iPad, his Hunky Dorys, the odd lollipop, and timely access to health care. To us, that seems like so little to ask.
”We could provide him with most things. We could ensure that almost all his needs were met, but we unfortunately didn't control all aspects of his health care.
“Despite doing everything we could, despite begging for help, we did not have final say.”
“The United Nations Rights of the Child are founded on four main principles, non discrimination, best interests of the child, the right to life, survival and development, and the right to be heard.
“From our own experience, none of these are being met when it comes to children with spina bifida, scoliosis."
Harvey’s father, Stephen Morrison added: “Harvey was our first child, he is the one that made us parents, he made us a family, and he shaped us into the people that we are today.”
“Harvey showed us how to be brave, how to be patient, courageous and kind. And, today, we hope we make him proud.”
