Parents Demand Change After Son’s Scoliosis Battle and Death

The parents of nine-year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt spoke out at a public rally in Dublin today, sharing their harrowing experience of watching their son suffer while waiting for surgery to correct a curvature in his spine. The march, held in memory of Harvey, aimed to raise awareness about the urgent need for timely healthcare access for children with complex medical needs, including conditions like spina bifida and scoliosis.

During the rally, Gillian Sherratt, Harvey’s mother, described the profound impact of his prolonged wait for surgery, which lasted an agonizing 33 months. She recounted how Harvey’s condition worsened during this time, noting that the curve in his spine increased from 75 degrees to 130 degrees. “We had to watch him deteriorate, cry in pain, struggle to breathe and lose the sparkle in his eye over those 33 months,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.

The Sherratt family faced significant disruptions in their lives as they navigated Harvey’s medical needs. “We canceled family holidays, postponed my daughter’s heart surgery… as he sat and waited for a date for surgery,” Ms. Sherratt explained. The ordeal robbed Harvey of his childhood and the family of precious memories together. “Most importantly, it robbed him of his childhood, it robbed him of his comfort, it robbed him of his quality of life,” she added.

In her remarks, Ms. Sherratt emphasized the need for systemic change in how healthcare is provided for children. “What we have been through, what Harvey lived through was so destroying, but we will keep going and keep pushing in the hopes that no family faces what we have faced,” she stated. She expressed a commitment to advocating for children with similar health challenges, declaring, “While Harvey was alive, we had to be his voice.”

Strongly invoking the principles of the United Nations Rights of the Child, she highlighted issues of non-discrimination and the necessity for healthcare that prioritizes the best interests of the child. “From our own experience, none of these are being met when it comes to children with spina bifida and scoliosis,” Ms. Sherratt said.

Stephen Morrison, Harvey’s father, shared his reflections on their son, describing him as the child who made them parents. “Harvey showed us how to be brave, how to be patient, courageous, and kind,” he said, expressing the hope that they could make him proud through their ongoing advocacy.

The rally not only commemorated Harvey’s life but also served as a poignant call to action for improved healthcare policies. As the family continues to navigate their grief, their focus remains on ensuring that other families do not endure the same struggles. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the human impact of healthcare delays and the urgent need for reform in pediatric care.