[ad_1]
A boy who battled meningitis has spoken about the heartbreaking goodbye he gave to his hands before they were amputated.
Luke Mortimer appeared on Friday’s This Morning with his father, Adam, to raise awareness of the infection, which affects the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.
Adam told hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary his son was diagnosed with meningitis in 2019 at the age of seven, losing 50% of his skin and spending five months in hospital.
Luke also required a quadruple amputation, losing his hands and legs, and now uses prosthetic legs and a robotic arm.
Adam explained to Alison, 48, and Dermot, 50, Luke was ‘mortified’ at the prospect of having his hands amputated.
He said that after they all had a discussion with a team of surgeons and psychologists, Luke ‘eventually realised his hands were non-functional.’
Adam continued: ‘We went down for the surgery and just before the surgery he looked down at his hands and said, “Goodbye my beautiful hands. You’ve served me well.’
Remarking on Luke’s bravery, Dermot said: ‘Wow.’
Earlier this month, charity Band of Builders grouped together a team of big-hearted tradesmen to adapt Adam and Luke’s home.
The team has made a series of renovations, including fitting a new shower room, underfloor heating and new wooden flooring.
Adam praised the charity for their support at the time, calling it ‘amazing’.
He said: ‘The build has helped us immensely – it has got the house to the place we need it to be for Luke to be able to have what he needs at home.
‘Luke is ecstatic that his room is now boarded and plastered and is planning the colour scheme of his room.
‘[He], as usual, charmed all the builders and has taken everything in his slightly smaller stride.’
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Love Island star ‘forever sorry’ for missing This Morning job following boozy night
[ad_2]