Royal surprise Corby family's 'stressful' lockdown carries on to shield smiling Kaydyn from deadly virus

Kaydyn Mcveigh and his mum and gran have been told to carry on socially isolating
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A Corby mum whose shielding story was given a boost by Prince William has described how family life under continued lockdown has been 'stressful'.

Leanne Mcveigh and her five-year-old son Kaydyn have been shielding due to his high risk of developing complications from coronavirus infection.

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Born with cystic fibrosis (CF), like others born with the genetic condition, Kaydyn is prone to recurrent infections caused by the build-up of mucus in the lungs and other passageways.

Leanne said: "It has been stressful and I am fearful if we go out we're sticking to the rules but other people aren't.

"Now the sky is blue and the weather is nice Kaydyn can go in the garden but he says he is scared of going away from the house because 'the virus might be out there'."

Kaydyn has been told to shield for an initial period of 15 weeks which is due to finish on June 30. He has only left his Hazel Leys home twice in that time.

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The pair live with Leanne's mum Jackie who is also shielding.

Kaydyn has been working hard at homeKaydyn has been working hard at home
Kaydyn has been working hard at home

Leanne said: "I don't think for one minute that it will end then. Even if the risk was very low I couldn't risk it. I will go out when I think it's safe enough and when his CF team at KGH says so."

The family have been supported by a government scheme to provide weekly food parcels supplying them with bread, fruit and veg, tinned goods and toiletries.

It was a thank you message that brought the family to the attention of Whitehall resulting in a one-to-one video call with the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William.

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The second-in-line to the throne chatted to Leanne and Kaydyn for half an hour via Zoom - calling from his Sandringham Estate house to the Mcveigh's home in Corby.

Prince William listens to LeannePrince William listens to Leanne
Prince William listens to Leanne

Prince William spoke to Leanne and Kaydyn about the difficulties the family was facing and to raise awareness of those who will need to carry on their isolation.

Leanne said: "He knew how many people were shielding. He was very aware of everything going on in the community.

"Kaydyn asked him if he was a real prince and he said 'I am Kaydyn'. He made me feel relaxed."

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A reception pupil at Exeter - A Learning Community, Kaydyn has been taking part in lessons at home with work set by the school, maintaining his life-saving physiotherapy sessions and enjoying arts and crafts.

Always smiling  - KaydynAlways smiling  - Kaydyn
Always smiling - Kaydyn

She said: "They [the school] have been absolutely fantastic. He has been doing his phonics and maths. Kaydyn is eager to learn and wants to do something.

"Every day he has his nebuliser and then after half an hour we do physio of anything from half-an-hour to an hour.

"He blows bubbles in a bottle of sterilised water to help clear his lungs.

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"We are always on the look out for invisible viruses. He's already on daily antibiotics It's two years since he was admitted last. It's terrifying. No-one knows when it's going to end.

"KGH has been incredible - absolutely phenomenal ever since he was diagnosed by a heel-prick test at three weeks."

Keeping a five-year-old occupied at home for more than three months has been difficult at times. Kaydyn had been keeping in touch with his best friend but it became too hard.

Kaydyn has ventured outside away from his house twice since lockdown startedKaydyn has ventured outside away from his house twice since lockdown started
Kaydyn has ventured outside away from his house twice since lockdown started

She said: "People have come to the window but I can't let him go out. He did video call his friend but we stopped that and now they write to each other each week and share crafts that they have made.

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"I can't risk him - his lungs are already damaged because of the CF but touch wood he'll be fine.

"We have been out twice since the lockdown eased to Barnwell Country Park but Kaydyn is doesn't want to go out.

"It's become the new 'normal' but he never stops smiling and he cheers me up rather than the other way round."

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition affecting more than 10,500 people in the UK. It is caused by a faulty gene that affects the movement of salt and water in and out of cells.

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This, along with recurrent infections, can result in a build-up of thick, sticky mucus in the body's tubes and passageways – particularly the lungs and digestive system.

According to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust there are 117 people living with cystic fibrosis in Northamptonshire with just over half of those under 16.

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