World Sepsis Day: Ryan’s Story & Why Every Parent Needs to Know the Signs

Sepsis. It’s a word no parent ever wants to hear. Sepsis can occur when your body is fighting an infection and begins to injure its own tissues and organs. The best chance of recovering from Sepsis is to treat it quickly.

It is rare, but it can happen to any child with any infection. September 13 is World Sepsis Day, and this year we’re honoured to share Ryan’s story – a cheeky, determined little boy whose journey reminds us all just how important it is to trust your instincts when your child is unwell.

Meet Ryan

Ryan is three years old and full of personality. He’s happiest when playing with his cars, splashing about at hydrotherapy, or heading off to preschool, where he’s learning to use his prosthetic legs and making new friends along the way. His resilience and determination shine through every single day. But Ryan’s life – and his family’s – changed forever when he was just 13 months old.

When Something Wasn’t Right

It began as what seemed like a mild cold. Soon, though, Ryan developed high fevers, was shivering, extremely lethargic, and appeared to be in pain. Then came the red flag his mum will never forget:

“The biggest red flag was when he suddenly stopped walking. As a mum, I just knew this wasn’t normal for my child. That gut instinct told me this wasn’t just a regular sickness, that something was very wrong.”

Despite several visits to the hospital, Ryan continued to deteriorate. He was flown to a major city hospital as he required critical care. His parents were told he wasn’t going to survive.

Miraculously, Ryan pulled through. Doctors confirmed he was in severe septic shock. He spent weeks on life support with multiple organ failure. Sepsis had pushed his little body to the edge, but incredibly, Ryan kept fighting.

It was an incredibly isolating time for their family. Thankfully, they were able to lean on family and friends who held them up when they felt they could collapse, as well as online communities and sepsis awareness and support networks that provided reassurance that they were not alone; others had walked this terrifying path before them.

The Aftermath of Sepsis

Surviving sepsis came at an enormous cost. Ryan underwent multiple amputations of both lower legs, all of his fingertips, and several fingers.

“At the time I couldn’t understand how my healthy baby had sepsis. The fear was indescribable. Time seemed to stand still. Hearing that Ryan could lose his limbs and potentially his life shattered us. Every parent’s worst nightmare was unfolding in front of us.”

For Ryan’s family, his sepsis diagnosis has changed everything. Sepsis left scars that are both visible and invisible. Yet through grief, advocacy, and resilience, they’ve found a way forward – grateful for each day, and determined to raise awareness.

“That’s why we are committed to sharing Ryan’s story; not just to raise awareness, but to help other families feel seen and understood. If hearing our experience makes even one parent feel less alone, it’s worth it.”

What Parents and Carers Need to Know

Sepsis can develop from any infection, even something that starts small. It strikes fast, and early treatment saves lives.

Know the Signs

The symptoms of sepsis can vary, but some red flags in children may include:

• A lot of pain or very restless
• Fast breathing or long pauses in breathing
• Very blotchy, blue or pale skin
• Drowsy, difficult to wake up, confused
• Floppy
• Feels abnormally cold to the touch
• Fit (seizure)
• Rash that doesn’t fade when pressed.
• You are worried

Trust Your Instincts

“Trust your instincts. You know your child better than anyone. If something feels off, don’t wait. Early action can save lives.”

If you’re worried:

• Seek medical help immediately.
• Don’t be afraid to ask, “Could it be sepsis?”
• Things can change; keep asking for a review if your child isn’t getting better or getting worse.

The Key Takeaways

Ryan’s parents want the world to understand:

• Sepsis can happen to anyone.
• Any infection can lead to it.
• Parents know their child best – listen to them.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

Why Awareness Matters

Ryan is a survivor. His story is one of strength, resilience, and love. But too many families lose children to sepsis every year. Awareness and advocacy can make the difference between life and death.

This World Sepsis Day, let’s share Ryan’s story far and wide. Because the more parents, carers, and health professionals who know the signs of sepsis, the more lives will be saved.

👉 Remember: If your gut tells you something isn’t right – act.
👉 Ask the question: Could it be sepsis?

Ryan’s story is a reminder that awareness saves lives. ♥️

We recently shared a post about a new tool being introduced in all NSW public hospitals to recognise that parents, families, and carers know their children best. Read about it here.

And if you are in Queensland, Queensland Health have also recently undertaken the Parental Escalation of Care for Kids (PECK) pilot, based on a study undertaken at Monash Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria.

This pilot took place at five Queensland Hospitals. It involved adding a question exploring parental concern about their child’s health as part of the regular checks in the Children’s Early Warning Tool (CEWT). The question “Are you worried your child is getting worse?” is asked each time the patient’s vital signs are taken, and if the parent replies with ‘yes’, it will immediately be escalated to the team leader for review and further escalation to medical staff as required. Due to the success of the pilot, this initiative will be expanded to all Queensland Health paediatric wards of paper medical record sites from November 2025, with discussions underway to integrate the process for digital record sites.