Beautiful baby Sadie ‘died twice’ after developing meningitis – and now lives with cerebral palsy – Teesside Live

A baby "died twice" after developing meningitis at just four-weeks-old.

"Perfect" 5lb 13oz Sadie Rose Hunt was born at 34-weeks and new mum Lisa Hunt was able to take her healthy baby home.

But four-weeks later the South Bank family were struck with tragedy as she was rushed into hospital.

After long hospital stays, the tot being placed into a coma and intensive care, the family were told Sadie "wouldn't be the same person" and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

The mum-of-three told how she had a normal pregnancy and gave birth to her baby girl on January 31, 2017.

"The nurse even described her as a Russian Doll, just perfect," Lisa said.

But around four-weeks old, Lisa noticed "something wasn't right".

She told how she noticed her "soft spot bulging" and the following morning she rang paramedics around 8am.

The tot was rushed to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, and was taken straight into resus.

"The first 24-hours were critical," she added.

Then as Lisa came back into the room doctors were "pumping her chest" as she had "died and they brought her back".

Sadie's condition deteriorated further and she was transferred to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

The baby was placed into intensive care and a coma at just four-weeks-old.

Following a number of tests, the doctors confirmed Sadie had contracted meningitis - an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

It can affect anyone but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. Meningitis can be very serious if not treated quickly.

The 46-year-old said health professionals estimated she had the infection for around 12-hours and the mum requesting emergency services could have saved the youngster's life.

Sadie remained in intensive care for four weeks at the Newcastle hospital.

It was there she died a second time after she stopped breathing whilst doctors were carrying out tests.

Lisa described the moment of seeing doctors rushing into the room to her little girl as "petrifying".

She then went onto a ward but doctors found that she was showing signs of cerebral palsy.

But the family were then told the tragic news that "Sadie wouldn't be the same person she went into the hospital as".

Mum Lisa simply responded: "I don't care what's wrong with her, she's still my daughter.

"She's still my baby girl."

Sadie, now aged three, is described as a "determined little girl" who is "always giggling".

Lisa added: "Everyone who sees her falls in love with her big smile.

"She's that type of person that lights up the room."

At times the youngster becomes frustrated that she is unable to do things but she is continuing to develop as "last year she couldn't do anything".

Lisa is Sadie's full-time carer as she is unable to talk or feed herself.

The family, who currently live in South Bank, are moving to a larger home as the current property isnt suitable for Sadie's needs.

The four-bedroomed house will need an extension built downstairs with a bedroom and a washroom for Sadie. This is estimated to cost around 40,000.

Due to her condition, the family will qualify for 30,000 but will need to raise the remaining 10,000 in order to make it a reality.

The family, including Lisa and her three children, will make the move in around three weeks to their new Grangetown home.

A GoFundMe page has been launched to help raise the much-needed funds.

Donations can be made, here.

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Beautiful baby Sadie 'died twice' after developing meningitis - and now lives with cerebral palsy - Teesside Live