Corby goes green for smiling Grady-Finn as he battles Covid-19

Despite his family self-isolating the teenager had unknowingly caught coronavirus
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A Corby teenager who was diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus is recovering in Kettering General Hospital (KGH) and still smiling, according to his mum.

Grady-Finn Stevenson, known as 'Smiler' to his family, had been admitted to Skylark Ward with what his mum thought was just 'another' chest infection.

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However, when the results came back two days later the swab, that been taken on admission, revealed that Grady-Finn, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, had tested positive for Covid-19.

Grady-Finn is called 'Smiler' by his mum LindsayGrady-Finn is called 'Smiler' by his mum Lindsay
Grady-Finn is called 'Smiler' by his mum Lindsay

Mum Lindsay Ingram said: "It's been a horror story but we're getting there. He's had his moments when he's been happy and smiling. Generally, he's been his happy, smiling self."

Grady-Finn, a student at Corby Business Academy, and his 12-year-old sister Willow-Poppy, who attends Corby Technical School, were kept home from March 16 to self-isolate by parents Lindsay and Patrick.

Lindsay, 42, said: "When we first heard about it [coronavirus] and people were getting it closer and closer, we took him out of school.

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"He has breathing problems and a chest problem so we just thought he had a normal chest infection or a virus.

Grady-Finn with his sister Willow-PoppyGrady-Finn with his sister Willow-Poppy
Grady-Finn with his sister Willow-Poppy

"When we got to hospital (March 23) he was tested just to be on the safe side.

"The two weeks previous we had been in self-isolation.

"We were convinced that he wouldn't have it because we thought if he got it he wouldn't come out great.

"All the horror stories go through your head - is he going to get through this?"

Grady and WillowGrady and Willow
Grady and Willow
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Lindsay and husband Patrick, 40, have been taking turns on a 24-hour vigil at Grady-Finn's bedside in his own private room.

Lindsay said: "We've been with him the whole time. We wouldn't let him be on his own, we would never let him be frightened.

"His breathing was quite fast and when he gets a virus he starts to breathe quite rapidly, which is nothing more than we would normally expect but he had a higher than normal temperature.

"We sat for two days convincing ourselves he hadn't got it. We've stayed positive and hoped for the best and luckily we've been getting through the worst of it.

Siblings Grady and WillowSiblings Grady and Willow
Siblings Grady and Willow
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"He's quite tired and worn out. He had a day off the oxygen, he's had some antibiotics and he's been on a nebuliser but there's nothing they can give him to treat it. Luckily enough he's slowly getting there."

While her parents have been busy with her brother, Willow-Poppy has created a support group for her brother called Grady's Green Hearts where friends, family and supporters from across the world have been posting messages.

Willow-Poppy, a Corby Junior Carnival Princess, chose Grady-Finn's favourite colour green for the hearts, the same colour his favourite football team, Celtic plays in.

Lindsay said: "It's been absolutely crazy. She only put in on to send a couple of green hearts. We had no idea it would go the way it did.

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"It's been a nice thing to see the messages and amazing to know that people are thinking, praying and sending nice thoughts to us from thousands of strangers."

The devoted siblings have been keeping in touch using FaceTime.

Willow was crowned Corby junior carnival princess 2020/21 in early MarchWillow was crowned Corby junior carnival princess 2020/21 in early March
Willow was crowned Corby junior carnival princess 2020/21 in early March

Lindsay said: "Willow-Poppy has not been able to see him so we've been FaceTiming. She's not been able to give him hugs. They are so close and missing each other.

"We're so proud of her. She's always doing nice things for Grady."

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She added: "We're trying not to think of the worst. If you go down that road it's a dark place. We're taking it day by day. There's no point crying about it.

"People need to see the good side of this. People are coming through. If there wasn't someone who was going to get through this then it would be Grady, but he's got through.

"Thanks to everybody who has sent us messages and supported us. It's been lighting-up his face with all the messages."

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