I thought my wife was overreacting when our newborn fell ill – I ended up in tears with guilt, admits Jordan Banjo
JORDAN Banjo has told of the heartbreaking moment he broke down at his son’s hospital bed after becoming overwhelmed with guilt.
The Diversity star’s son Atreus fell ill with meningitis and sepsis back in April when he was just two months old.
Just hours before, Jordan had reassured his wife Naomi that it was nothing to worry about and headed off to work.
That evening Naomi rushed their son to A&E after getting a “gut instinct that something was wrong.
Thankfully, doctors said her quick-thinking saved the newborn’s life as they were able to get the life-threatening conditions under control.
Speaking to The Sun at the launch of Tesco‘s Stronger Starts campaign, Jordan said: “When I got to the hospital I broke down and started crying.
“It wasn’t just the fact he was ill, it was that I’d seen him in the early hours for work and I was the one saying to Nat ‘I think he’s fine, he’s just tired’.
“We got it early because of my wonderful wife. She knew something wasn’t right in her gut and took him to A&E.
“There was such relief that he was in the best place, because if it had been down to me I’d have been at home rocking him to sleep thinking he’d be fine.If she hadn’t taken him, we could be having a very different conversation.”
Atreus was diagnosed with viral meningitis and then developed sepsis as a result of an infection.
Jordan and Naomi alternated between time by their son’s bedside in Southend Hospital’s Neptune Ward and with looking after their other two children at home.
Atreus spent a week in hospital before having to return for check-ups over the next month.
Jordan says he’s come out of it “relatively unscathed”. but realises how lucky his family has been in comparison to others.
In a weird twist of fate, Jordan had visited the ward Atreus was in two years previously to entertain sick kids and their families.
“It was a super scary time,” added Jordan.
“The thoughts that are flying through your head when you’re at home and trying to hold it together to keep it normal for the other two… it was tough.
“But we got through it together. Now he’s back home, you appreciate the moments even more because there were some people on our ward who weren’t so lucky.
“You feel bad walking out, even though the other parents are buzzing for you and your child.
You never think you’ll be one of those parents sat on the ward, having not washed for three days and still panicking about your child.
“It was really scary for us and he’s come out relatively unscathed, touch wood everything is fine, but there are some who had it a lot worse than us.”
Jordan has spoken out about his ordeal as he announces his backing of a £5million campaign by Tesco to give children across the UK a stronger start in life by providing grants to schools and children’s groups to provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing.
The scheme, supported by UK community charity Groundwork, will replace the current Tesco Community Grants funding programme. Recent research from Groundwork found that 78 per cent of schools are currently having to provide food for children from their own budget.
Customers can support their local school and children’s groups by dropping the Tesco blue token they receive at checkout into the relevant voting box as they leave the store.
Kiss Breakfast presenter Jordan added: “Having three kids of my own has made me realise the importance of everyone getting that stronger start.
“Times are tough, financially, for a lot of people right now. My own kids are in a very privileged position and I recognise the benefits they have and all children should have access to that. It was a no-brainer for me to get involved with this campaign.”
“It’s hard for kids to dream big when they’re hungry but by nominating your local school or children’s group, you can make a massive difference to the lives of thousands of youngsters.”
Jason Tarry, Tesco UK CEO, said: “Helping schools and children’s groups access the food and resources they need is vitally important in getting children a stronger start in life. Children with enough food have more energy, better concentration, and ultimately achieve more too.
“As a business that is at the heart of communities across the country, we know that urgent action is needed to support the development and prospects of young people. We hope our initiative will help families that are struggling to keep children fed and active.”