2024 Winner
Aiyla Mota
Doctors were forced to amputate both of her legs and five fingers to save her life, but the sassy five-year-old refuses to slow down.
When Aiyla Mota got a sore throat last March it appeared to be a typical childhood illness. But when she suffered stomach pains and her breathing worsened, mum Eulanda took her to A&E.
Antibiotics had no effect and doctors diagnosed sepsis with tests revealing she had suffered multiple organ failure including her lungs and kidneys. She spent three weeks in intensive care in an induced coma before doctors told Eulanda they would have to amputate to save her life.
She spent three months in hospital and was discharged two weeks before her fourth birthday. Three months later she started mainstream school and, her mum says, has remained her “cheeky, sassy” self throughout her health battle. Eulanda says: “I remember thinking that her life was going to be ruined and I was completely wrong about that.
“If anything, she’s more ‘Aiyla’ than she was before. “My nan always says, ’It’s like she knows she got a second chance at life and she’s taking full advantage’.”
Aiyla, from London, has rehab, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Although she started walking on stubbies, as her confidence grows she now mostly uses prosthetic legs.
She has also adapted to losing the sight in one eye due to sepsis. She is thriving at school and enjoys gymnastics, horse-riding, ice-skating and bowling. Eulanda, 28, says: “Sepsis and Strep A haven’t stolen her love for life.
“People ask how I cope but I take my lead from Aiyla, from her strength. It’s her that keeps me together really. “I’m super proud of her and how she tackles each day like nothing has happened. I tell her every day I’m proud of her and she tells me, ‘I’m proud of you too Mummy’. “The lovely thing about her winning a Pride of Britain award is other people, beyond her friends and family, also recognise how strong and brave she is.”