Article contains information some readers may find upsetting
A family are desperately trying to raised funds for a child who has been left with brain damage after choking on a grape.
Towanda Harris, from Georgia, US, has revealed how her eight-year-old great-nephew's life has been changed forever after a grape became lodged in his throat and starved his brain of oxygen.
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The tragic incident happened on August 11, 2019, and since then, Sincere has been left unable to walk or talk as a result of the injury.
Sincere's mum, a single parent, has been forced to give up her job to become her son's full time carer, but as a result, has been left unable to cover his medical bills, as well as supplies and equipment.
The family have set up a GoFundMe for Sincere and his mum to raise money to pay for the youngsters care, also while raising awareness of the risks of choking in children.
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In the GoFundMe post, great-aunt Harris wrote: "Little Sincere, full of life and joy, suffered a devastating accident when a simple grape became lodged in his throat, causing a severe lack of oxygen to his brain.
"Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Sincere now has minimal consciousness, unable to communicate or walk."
Harris also explained how Sincere's mum had been involved in a car accident, resulting in them losing their only form of transport.
"Sincere’s mother while traveling home was hit by a vehicle that ran the traffic light, resulting in the total loss to both Sincere’s and her only source of transportation," she exlpained.
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"As a community, we believe in the power of collective kindness and the extraordinary impact it can have on this precious life."
According to recommendations by Stanford Medicine, if you suspect a child may be choking, the first step is to determine whether they're actually choking or having a coughing fit.
If they are choking, they will be gagging or making a high-pitched noise.
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You should calmly ask the child if they are choking and if they nod, you should signal to someone to call 999 while following these steps:
- Stand behind the child. Wrap your arms around the child’s waist.
- Make a fist with one hand, thumb side in. Place your fist just below the chest and slightly above the navel.
- Grab your fist with the other hand.
- Press into the abdomen with a quick upward push. This helps to make the object or food come out of the child’s mouth.
- Repeat this inward and upward thrust until the piece of food or object comes out.
- Once the object comes out, take your child to the doctor. A piece of the object can still be in the lung. Only a doctor can tell you if your child is okay.
- Since someone is already on the phone with 999, tell him or her immediately if the child passes out.
You can donate to the family's GoFundMe here.
Emma Rosemurgey