Warning: this story contains content that some people may find distressing.
A couple have released a video of their son’s last days in order to spread awareness about whooping cough.
Catherine and Greg Hughes’ baby boy Riley passed away last March because of the disease. He was only one month old.
As well as setting up an organisation – Light For Riley – to inform parents about the dangers of whooping cough, they have now shared a clip in the hope of saving lives.
Alongside the video, which is very difficult to watch, Catherine wrote: “These are the final videos of our beautiful son Riley who passed away from whooping cough on the 17th of March, 2015.
“I have always kept these videos to myself, as it makes my blood run cold listening to my beautiful boy cough like that. But we are sharing this in the hopes that it will convince just one more pregnant Mum to protect their baby from this disease. I wish I had known about pregnancy vaccination when I was pregnant with Riley.
“In the beginning, Riley didn’t have a “whoop” sound in his cough, but it certainly developed once he was in hospital. If your newborn baby has a cough, and is too young to be vaccinated, please get them checked out by a doctor! Early intervention CAN help.
“I loved being Riley’s Mum for those four weeks. I wish it were longer. Please share to help ensure no more babies die from this disease, which I hope one day will be relegated to the history books.”
*Warning – contains content that some may find distressing*These are the final videos of our beautiful son Riley who…
Posted by Light for Riley on Wednesday, 6 January 2016
The pair have been praised for their bravery and efforts to make more parents aware of the condition.
For more information and advice on whooping cough, visit the HSE’s website here.
