Machine helps child stay active

Te Ariki Berryman with his parents Ang and Riki Berryman standing in front of a rocket that helped launch the event in the Paediatric Ward in Tauranga Hospital. Photo: Sharnae Hope.

A Tauranga boy is one of the many patients to reap the benefits from the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal.

Te Ariki Berryman, 12, was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis, a lung condition where the breathing tubes in his lungs have been damaged, enlarged and scarred due to infection.

His parents Ang and Riki Berryman say they were visiting his doctor constantly for his ongoing cough and each time they were told it was just a viral infection and he was given some medication to help.

Riki says without the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal donating money towards new machinery and tools and the Tauranga Hospital staffs' support, Te Ariki's condition may not have been diagnosed.

Years of him suffering has led to several holes in his lungs and he is now often admitted into Tauranga's children ward acutely unwell with lung infections, a cough and an infected sputum.

'He has holes in his lungs from years of suffering, so we can cough up our sputum, but he can't. He has to do natural physio or use the machine that has been provided to him.”

His parents try to get him to participate in as many activities as he can like walking, biking, and his favourite Jiu-Jitsu.

He was recently selected to represent New Zealand at the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pan Pacific World Championships in Melbourne in October.

'He does Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and at the start he couldn't handle the pressure on his chest and he used to freak out, but now thanks to the hospital donating the machine, it has helped him breathe a lot easier,” says Riki.

The exercise helps him to cough up mucus naturally and stretches his lungs, but he still relies on life saving breathing equipment and monitors to keep him well.

One of the tools he uses is a Nebuliser machine, which is a drug delivery device used to administer medication in the form of a mist inhaled into the lungs.

He uses the machine at least twice a day, once after breakfast and then again for about 15 minutes after school.

Riki says they can see the difference that the machine has done for him and without it they don't know where he would be.

'It has freed his air way, so he has been able to breathe a lot easier, he had a consistent cough, which he doesn't have anymore, and the machine has a lot to do with this improvement.”

Te Ariki doesn't enjoy using the machine, but he understands that he wouldn't be as active as he is without it.

Riki says they don't know if this machine will work to the point where he will no longer need it, but Te Ariki has definitely had more of a life because of it.

'We just want people to know about bronchiectasis and to query their doctor, don't let them say it's just a viral infection. Check more into it and be more aware of what is going on.”

Te Ariki has also been a big motivator for his parents to get fit and they have now both lost 20kgs, and in December the family completed the Tauranga half marathon together.

He will be this year's face of the Tauranga Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal, which was launched today in the Paediatric Ward in Tauranga Hospital.

The Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal runs from August 7 – October 29 and aims to raise more than $1 million to help get sick Kiwi kids home from hospital faster.

Between 2008 and 2016, Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal has helped donate $780,000 to Tauranga Hospital.

Some of the equipment purchased with the donated funds that has helped Te Ariki while he has been in hospital are:

  • RAD 5 Masimo Moniotors, monitor oxygen saturations and heart rate Rad 8 Masimo
  • Monitors - monitor overnight oximetry (oxygen saturations).
  • Welch Allyn LT Propac Monitor – monitors ECG Heart Rate respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, blood pressure
  • Abbotts I TAT Machine – blood gas and chemistry testing

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