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River Menzies-Staff<\/p>\nRiver Menzies-Staff was just 21 months old when she lost the ability to walk.<\/p>\n
12:05, 02 Jun 2025Updated 12:39, 02 Jun 2025<\/p>\n
River Menzies-Staff<\/p>\n
A mum was repeatedly told her baby daughter had a viral illness only for doctors to later discover she had a brain tumour.<\/a><\/p>\n Little River Menzies-Staff began vomiting every morning when she was just 21 months old. Due to Covid<\/a> restrictions at the time, worried mum Katie Staff was only able to speak with doctors over the phone.<\/p>\n Katie, 36, was reassured on several occasions that River was likely suffering no more than a viral illness. But her world came crashing down on September 21, 2021, when her baby suddenly lost the ability to walk.<\/p>\n River was rushed to A&E<\/a> and doctors soon diagnosed River with an ependymoma brain tumour<\/a>. The tot spent the next seven months in hospital<\/a>, where she suffered a stroke during her first brain operation, fell into a two-week coma and had to undergo a tracheostomy which she still has in place today.<\/p>\n Mum of two Katie, from Barrhead, said: “Despite two major brain surgeries, some of the tumour <\/a>remains as it was too risky to remove completely. River then endured intensive chemotherapy, spending months in the hospital <\/a>due to severe complications. This was followed by six weeks of radiotherapy.<\/p>\n “Today, River faces many challenges. She can no longer walk, talk, or eat and is tube-fed. She has reduced hearing and vision on her left side, along with osteoporosis from chemotherapy and scoliosis caused by muscle weakness. When she was first diagnosed, we were given just a 30% survival rate\u2014but River is a true fighter.”<\/p>\n The family is now fundraising for a bespoke trike to allow River to get out and about more, and additional physiotherapy.<\/p>\n Katie said: “We are raising funds to support River\u2019s ongoing care, therapy, and medical <\/a>needs. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference in her journey.”<\/p>\n Katie added: “The physiotherapy makes a huge difference to her, she can now take a few steps between furniture which is a huge improvement on what she was able to do before.\u2019<\/p>\n “In spite of her issue she is a happy little girl who loves to watch TV, play outside and spend time with other people. Her future is uncertain but like any mother, I just want the best for her and every penny received to help her live her best life possible is hugely appreciated.”<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile<\/strong><\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n River’s family is being supported by children’s charity <\/a>Tree of Hope, which helps families raise vital funds for medical <\/a>treatments and healthcare services not freely available to them through the NHS and social care.<\/p>\n Tree of Hope CEO Becky Andrew said: “We wish River and her family all the best with their fundraising activities. We are pleased to be supporting them to give them the support in reaching their fundraising goals.”<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_WACOMMUNITYQR3.jpg\")
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