13-year-old boy has leg amputated after getting 'cramp' at sports camp
It's every parent's worst nightmare for their child to be in pain or to need surgery.
Unfortunately for Austin Rusper's family, a nightmare became reality after the sporty 13-year-old complained of 'cramp' while at a sports camp.
The athletic teenager had been enjoying being active with friends when he complained of the pain, leading his parents to initially think it was down to overexertion.
Dad Warwick recalled: "Austin started to complain of leg cramp - which hopped around from his left calf, to his right thigh, to his left knee, to his right calf.
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"It wasn't that consistent, but when it was there, he was in a lot of discomfort and pain. He then started feeling tired and lethargic, and it got to the point where he was completely wiped out, just in bed.
"We took him to the GP and were told he needed to rest and stay hydrated."
However, the pain didn't ease like a normal cramp would, and soon his heart rate went through the roof to 120bpm, and his fingertips turned blue.
His parents called the NHS 111 service and were told to rush the teenager to A&E as an emergency.
They managed to get him to the East Surrey Hospital at 6pm, and by 10pm were being warned he may not make it, as the 'cramp' turned out to be much more serious.
The teenager was placed into an induced coma and rushed to Evelina London Children's Hospital.
Warwick recalled: "It was the unimaginable. I really thought we had lost him. I kissed his forehead goodbye - as did his mum. And I just sat in that waiting room thinking about how we'd break the news to his sister.
"I just couldn't believe the speed of it. At 6pm, Austin had walked into A&E by himself. By 10pm, we were kissing him goodbye."
Austin was diagnosed with a serious complication of a Strep A infection, and bacteria had made its way into his bloodstream, causing sepsis.
He had multiple organ failure, and doctors warned of the worst.
Fortunately, Austin eventually stabilised - but his left leg had turned black and needed amputation.
He later opted to have the other leg amputated as it was causing such pain.
Austin has since been fitted with prosthetic limbs - and has tried rock climbing, wheelchair tennis, and wheelchair golf.
He's even being trained by former Paralympian Rachel Morris, who won a gold medal for rowing in 2016.
Warwick said: "Austin's approach to life is just unbelievable. I think that lots of people, if in his position, would be really down in the dumps, but he just wants to push forward.
"His mental fortitude has been incredible. He never says he can't or won't do something - he always says he'll try. He's an inspiration."
He praised his son's bravery over the amputations: "He took the approach that it was no longer his foot - and instead something on his body that was poisoning him.
Warwick said: "His leg was still incredibly painful and the chances of success in terms of being able to run and jump were minimal. It got to the point where the doctors said: 'We can save your foot but you'll have to walk with a stick'.
"And I think his love of sports just took over. He had to think about what he wanted out of life and he thought he'd rather sacrifice his foot and become a double amputee - and see what's achievable.
"While he was in hospital he had been watching the Paralympics and that was a huge inspiration. He had this idea of what his life could look like.
"And when I asked him how he felt, he said the second amputation was a lot easier mentally. Because it was his choice."
Dr Ron Daniels, Founder and Chief Medical Officer at the UK Sepsis Trust, said: "Sepsis is indiscriminate: it primarily affects very young children and older adults, and is also more common in people with underlying health conditions. But it can sometimes be triggered in those who are otherwise fit and healthy, like Austin.
"Austin’s resilience and positive outlook is truly inspiring, and we're hugely grateful for his commitment to raising awareness of this life-changing condition."
His family have set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the hospital and charities that helped Austin, which you can donate to here.
Jen Thomas