A grateful mum and dad have backed the campaign to reward frontline heroes after their daughter woke from a coma on her 16th birthday.
The Sunday Mirror has launched a petition calling for health staff to be given a cash bonus to reward their efforts on the coronavirus frontline.
Marisa Bappoo went from having a mild cough to gasping for breath in front of her shocked parents.
She was rushed to hospital and ventilated, with Roshan, 48, and Anita, 46, spending the next 10 days not knowing if their youngest child would survive.
Marisa is just one of a few dozen children to have fallen seriously ill to the virus.
Roshan, a graphic designer, said: “We had all been suffering from the virus and were recovering but Marisa didn’t.
"She became very poorly. It was shocking to see her struggling to breathe which is when we called an ambulance.
“They were going to start to bring her round when she woke up by herself on her 16th birthday.
“We were just elated that our daughter came round to mark her birthday. It was the best birthday present to have in the circumstances.
“With coronavirus there are guarantees of a happy ending. When you hear that half of people don’t make it out of ICU it sends a chill down your spine. You worry if your loved one will be one of the unlucky ones.”
Southampton Children’s Hospital arranged a Facetime call so Roshan and Anita and older sister Reyana, 19, could speak to doctors and see Marisa.
They were also able to email pictures of the family so staff could print them out and display them around her room in intensive care.
Roshan said: “The nurses did an amazing job comforting Marisa. They gave her a lot of love and care.
“They hung up happy birthday banners in the intensive care room that she was in, presented her with birthday gifts and given her a cuddly elephant to sit by her side.”
After 21 days in hospital, Marisa came home to Basingstoke, Hants, to birthday banners, presents, a cake and applause from neighbours.
Anita said: “It is still hard for her to lift her arms and legs and talk properly. Day-to-day tasks such as putting make-up on and showering, getting dressed and brushing teeth are still difficult.”
Marisa said: “I’m so glad to be home. I don’t remember all of it but I am really thankful for the care I received.”
