AN INSPIRATIONAL eight-year-old has been given a medal of bravery after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
Cub Scout Nathan Chesters, from Saltney, woke up with a headache minutes before collapsing and being rushed to hospital where he spent two months on a ventilator.
The Broughton Primary School pupil is still recovering after the scare in July last year and has now been presented with the Scout’s Medal of Meritorious Conduct for bravery of an exceptionally high standard.
Proud mum Helen, 40, said: “Nathan was perfectly healthy. He went to bed and woke up in the middle of the night with a bad headache.
“Minutes later he had collapsed. He had a brain haemorrhage. It was a shock.”
Nathan was taken to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool where Helen, dad Russell, 42, and twin sister Lauren stayed at his bedside.
The haemorrhage was caused by a bleed where an artery and vein meet and in January he had an operation to correct the problem.
“The doctors did not think he would pull through,” said Helen.
“He has proved them all wrong. When he left hospital he was in a wheelchair but now he is walking. There is a bit of damage to his brain where the bleed was and this has caused some mobility problems.
“They do not know how his brain will recover as it is still developing. He is doing brilliantly now and is back in school coping with his lessons.
“Lauren has been fantastic. She was helping the nurses in the hospital really looking after him.”
Manchester United supporter Nathan has been fighting hard to overcome his condition including learning to write with his left hand.
He remained at the hospital until October and was an outpatient until February.
Nathan, a member of Saltney Ferry Scout group, was presented with the medal and a certificate by district commissioner Pat Royle on behalf of chief Scout Bear Grylls.
Helen said: “He was thrilled to get the award. We are so proud of him. Nathan was so poorly last July, he has made an amazing recovery.
“Nathan is the class clown always making people laugh, just like he was before.”
Group Scout leader Rob Benyon added: “Nathan deserves every award he gets, I am unlikely to ever meet a more courageous and determined kid.”