CLOSER NEWS REPORT
Actor Jason Watkins and his wife Clara Francis opened up last week about the loss of their toddler to sepsis. Closer speaks to one mother who understands their grief – and explains why more awareness will save lives…
TdocumentaryJason And Clara: In Memory Of Maudie shone a light on the emotional story of actor Jason Watkins and his wife Clara Francis, whose two-year-old daughter Maudie unexpectedly passed away in the early hours of New Year’s Day in 2011.
Maudie died of sepsis, the body’s extreme response to infection that causes it to attack a person’s own tissues and organs. Since the tragedy, Jason and Clara have been on a mission to raise awareness of the condition, while also breaking down the taboo of child loss.
Jason said, “It’s hard for us as parents, that’s one of the painful things. Did we do everything we could have? It’s easy to blame yourself, and I still do.”
The documentary struck a chord with mum Michelle Christopher, who understands the pain of losing a child all too well. Just four years after Maudie’s death, in December 2014, Michelle’s 17-year-old daughter Chloe passed away from sepsis – adiagnosis that was only given at an inquest five months later.
OVERWHELMING
Michelle, 54, from Glamorgan says, “The documentary was very hard to watch, and it brought back a lot of emotions. I saw a lot of parallels between Jason and Clara and myself. Their grief now, all these years on, is very similar to mine. Life goes on, and you can learn to live again, but sometimes the emotions are overwhelming. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Chloe and her beautiful blue eyes.”
Sepsis is often dubbed the “silent killer”, because its symptoms can mimic those of other illnesses, like flu. But sadly, the condition isn’t as uncommon as many might think. If caught early it can be treated with antibiotics but, otherwise, it can prove fatal.
Colin Graham, Chief Operating Officer at Sepsis Research FEAT, says, “Sepsis is an indiscriminate condition that can kill a healthy adult or child in a matter of hours. Five people in the UK die every hour from sepsis. Globally, it takes the lives of around 11 million people a year, making it a bigger killer than cancer. Despite these shocking figures, many are still unaware of how serious sepsis is, which is why raising awareness of this deadly condition is vital.”
HEALTHY TEENAGER
Prior to her death, Chloe was a happy, healthy teenager who loved make-up and fashion and was learning to drive. She was also a doting auntie to her three-month-old niece, Elsie. Across the Christmas period, Chloe was stuck down by a cold, which her mum put down to the festivities. Michelle says, “Chloe was lethargic and taking
