A father shared the harrowing ordeal of his seven-year-old son, who was initially diagnosed with constipation but later discovered to have a rare strain of E.coli leading to kidney failure and a coma. Dean Amer, a 37-year-old guitar teacher from Bracknell, recounted how his son, Rafi, began experiencing symptoms after being sent home from school due to vomiting in September 2023. Despite two doctor visits misdiagnosing Rafi with constipation and a stomach bug, Dean grew concerned when he noticed blood in Rafi’s stool, prompting an ambulance trip to the hospital. Rafi was diagnosed with stage four kidney failure, experiencing multiple seizures, a brain injury, and three cardiac arrests. The family was advised to prepare for the worst.
Rafi was diagnosed with a rare condition called Shiga-toxin producing E.coli-haemolytic uraemic syndrome (STEC-HUS), typically affecting young children under five. Dean described the emotional turmoil and pain his son endured, including being placed in a coma and on life support with an artificial lung machine. Rafi showed signs of improvement after a period of no response, gradually regaining consciousness and motor functions.
Following a nine-month stay in a high-dependency unit and brain rehabilitation facility, Rafi finally returned home in late 2024. Although his recovery has been slow, Rafi has made remarkable progress, now able to talk, eat, sit up, and stand independently. Dean praised his son’s resilience and set up a Facebook page called “Rafi’s Recovery” to share their journey. The family’s story has inspired others, including pop star Pixie Lott, who recorded a special single to raise awareness about families supported by Ronald McDonald House UK.