A football-mad toddler has been left unable to talk after suffering a "significant" stroke just weeks before his third birthday.
Two-year-old Reuben Mather, from Bromsgrove, has lost mobility in his right arm and leg and will need to learn how to talk again following the paediatric stroke on the left side of his brain.
The youngster, who is a big Derby County fan, was getting ready for bath time on May 1 when he suddenly put his hand to his head and started grimacing.
After struggling to get out of the bath, his mum, Holly, quickly called 999 when she noticed the right side of his face drop.
His dad, Liam Mather, aged 33, said: "My wife Holly was getting Reuben ready for bath time when he took a few steps and suddenly put his hand to his head. She kept asking him if he was okay and thought it was just a headache.
"He got in the bath and kept rubbing his eyes as if he had soap in them. He is usually fine with getting out of the bath but he just couldn't and kept sliding around.
"His face then dropped and my wife rang 999. Holly also phoned me as she was really scared and when she told me the symptoms, I knew it was a stroke and we would have to act fast."
Although a stroke was initially dismissed, Reuben was rushed to hospital where a CAT scan confirmed that he was one of around 400 children in the UK each year who suffer a stroke.
He has now started physio and speech therapy at Birmingham Children's Hospital and is showing "some progress" including being able to say a couple of words.
Mr Mather, who works in the emergency services, said: "It was so scary having to wait to find out what was wrong with Reuben. When I got to the hospital he was just looking through me.
"I had been away for a couple of days and usually he would be really excited to see me, but he just didn't react. Although we suspected it was a stroke, when they officially told us, it hit us like a bat. It was made worse when they said it was so significant that he would be unlikely to make a full recovery.
"It's heartbreaking to see such a lovely, active and healthy baby boy be so helpless in a split second. It was just all taken away from him. As a father, I just want to protect my children but there was nothing I could do."
Mr Mather has praised the "incredible" staff at Birmingham Children's Hospital but has now set up a GoFundMe to help raise money towards Reuben's recovery.
He also hopes the fundraiser will help raise awareness for paediatric strokes so parents are not afraid to tell doctors if they suspect their child has had one.
The fundraiser has already raised £5,500 towards the £6,000 target and will be used towards physio and speech sessions and to adapt the family home, including installing a stairlift, depending on Reuben's long-term needs.
Any money left over will be donated to a stroke charity with Mr Mather setting a goal of getting Reuben to the first Derby match of the season in August.
Swesh Personal Training in Kidderminster will also be raising funds for Reuben at its annual Swesh Charity Rounders Day on July 13.
Mr Mather said: "The support from the Bromsgrove community has been overwhelming especially on social media. People recognise Reuben and his sister Ivy in the town as they are always out and about in their Derby kits and have very distinctive personalities.
"We have also had incredible messages from Derby County including the manager and some of the players. It means so much to us as that positivity really helps Reuben's mindset. It all helps give him the best possible chance of recovery.
"Having that little goal there of getting Reuben to the first match of the season also really helps. It is giving us something good to focus on and we are determined to keep surrounding Reuben with positivity."
To donate to the fundraiser visit www.gofundme.com/f/reubens-road-to-recovery-after-suffering-a-stroke
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