A heartbroken mum has shared how her 3-year-old daughter, Genevieve, was left disabled after doctors dismissed a severe illness as “just a virus” during her pregnancy. Anna Martin, from Chesterfield, visited her GP and A&E multiple times with worrying symptoms after likely exposure to chickenpox. Unfortunately, her concerns were downplayed, and crucial tests weren’t conducted.
Tragically, this oversight led to Genevieve being born with congenital varicella syndrome, a rare condition causing lifelong disabilities. Now, at just three, Genevieve faces challenges like a shorter right leg, risk of learning difficulties, and potential sight and hearing loss. Anna and her fiancé, Iain, made the tough decision to amputate their daughter’s foot to improve her mobility.
Anna has taken legal action against the healthcare providers involved and is campaigning for better policies to protect pregnant women. She highlights the need for routine chickenpox testing and timely antiviral treatments when exposure is suspected, regardless of uncertainty about past infections. She believes a preventive approach could spare other families from similar heartbreak.
Despite these challenges, Genevieve is full of life, filling her family’s days with laughter. Anna’s petition is gaining support to call for change. She emphasises the importance of raising awareness about the risks of chickenpox in pregnancy, aiming to protect other families from facing such preventable tragedies.
Join Anna in advocating for improved NHS guidelines and help spread awareness by supporting her petition. Let’s work together to ensure no other family experiences this heartbreak again.