Heartwarming footage shows the magical moment a little boy, who lost both his legs to sepsis, walks for the first time into the arms of his doting grandma.
William Reckless, four, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, almost died when he contracted a life-threatening case of sepsis in January.
The brave boy battled the killer infection and underwent multiple amputations losing both of his lower legs and parts of nine fingers – with only his right thumb left intact.
William Reckless, 4, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, takes his first steps unaided after losing both his lower legs to sepsis
Smiling face of determination: William Reckless gives a cheeky grin as he takes trip to the great outdoors with father Michael , and his family
However, William has made amazing progress and a video posted online shows him taking his first steps wearing his new prosthetic legs.
The video, taken in his granmother Trish Brennan’s house in Killamarsh, captures the magical moment William walks unaided into her arms.
She holds her arms open and encourages William by counting his steps as he slowly walks towards her.
‘Come on mate, you can do it,’ she says. ‘Go on, you’re fine. A little bit more…’
William makes it into her arms and is rewarded with a cuddle and a kiss.
The video shows the fast progress he has made over the last few months- from taking his new legs home in May and being able to walk on his own by mid-July.
Mum, Gemma Reckless, 30, a police officer from Sheffield, said that watching her son take his first steps after the months of pain was ‘magical’.
The little fighter underwent multiple amputations losing both of his lower legs and parts of nine fingers. He is pictured here with mum, Gemma, 30, having his prosthetic legs fitted
The little boy became seriously ill in January after he developed sepsis while suffering from scarlet fever
He spent three months in intensive care. Pictured here with little sister, Georgia, two, and father Michael
William’s sister Georgia rests a hand on her brother William as he lies in hospital bed during sepsis battle
‘When your baby takes their first steps, it’s magical,’ she said.
‘But when they have to learn a second time, after months of watching their pain, fear, frustration, hard work and determination, the pride we feel is something else.’
William Reckless became seriously ill in January after he developed sepsis while suffering from scarlet fever.
He almost died when his heart stopped and had to be in intensive care for three months as he battled complications, leading to his lower legs and parts of his fingers being amputated.
However, his family say throughout the months of physio the little boy has never stopped smiling.
His mum Gemma said that when he was told he would be losing his legs, he seemed to accept everything he woke from the amputation with a smile on his face.
He was soon telling doctors and nurses his left leg had been eaten by a crocodile and the right taken by a shark.
His mum has documented her son’s journey on her Facebook page for business Little Gems.
Smiling with his new legs: William Reckless, 4, with his prosthetics in hospital after sepsis stripped him of both limbs
William Reckless, pictured with father Michael, sister Georgia and mum Gemma back at their home
She wrote: ‘I never set out to share this journey I wish we never experienced, but the support and love from this community meant we gained a huge family of people invested in William, and for that I am thankful.’
What are the key symptoms of sepsis? The ‘silent killer’ that can cause death in minutes
Sepsis, known as the ‘silent killer’, strikes when an infection such as blood poisoning sparks a violent immune response in which the body attacks its own organs.
It is a potentially life-threatening condition, triggered by an infection or injury. Around 245,000 people develop sepsis in the UK each year and 52,000 die, according to the UK Sepsis Trust.
Instead of attacking the invading bug, the body turns on itself, shutting down vital organs.
If caught early enough, it’s easily treated with intravenous antibiotics and fluids, but these must be given as soon as sepsis is suspected – it strikes with frightening speed and, for every hour of delay, a patient’s chance of dying increases 8 per cent.
Sepsis is a leading cause of avoidable death killing 44,000 people each year
The early symptoms of sepsis can be easily confused with more mild conditions, meaning it can be difficult to diagnose.
A high temperature (fever), chills and shivering, a fast heartbeat and rapid breathing are also indicators.
A patient can rapidly deteriorate if sepsis is missed early on, so quick diagnosis and treatment is vital – yet this rarely happens.
In the early stages, sepsis can be mistaken for a chest infection, flu or upset stomach.
It is most common and dangerous in older adults, pregnant women, children younger than one, people with chronic conditions or those who have weakened immune systems.
The six signs of something potentially deadly can be identified by the acronym ‘SEPSIS’:
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine in a day
- Severe breathlessness
- Skin that’s mottled or discoloured
Anyone who develops any of these symptoms should seek medical help urgently — and ask doctors: ‘Could this be sepsis?’