Pictured: Brothers (l-r) Oscar Holt, 4, and Jasper Holt, 2. Thursday 8th October 2015. LINDSEY DICKINGS Oscar Holt, four, takes pride in helping to care for his little brother Jasper, who has multiple serious health conditions and disabilities.
The older sibling and his parents have spent many months in hospital with Jasper, who is now two-and-a-half and receives round-the-clock care from his family.
Oscar has seen paramedics rush to his Walney home to give his brother life-saving care.
He loves to help Jasper try to walk by holding him up and “waddling” with him as their dad Jeff Holt puts it, with feeding, and even trying to teach Jasper sign language.
Oscar doesn’t complain about sometimes having to entertain himself on hospital corridors, often with his scooter.
The family is at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool at the moment, and they will probably be there for Christmas, as Jasper was due to have surgery this week for his feeding tube.
Jasper was born with a cleft palate, conjoined kidneys, a small jaw and a neurological disorder and has spent the vast majority of his short life in and out of hospital.
He has been diagnosed with mitochondrial disease, a condition which means cells in his body are unable to produce the energy they need to function.
Recently Jasper’s conditions have been disrupting his sleep and he has been extremely exhausted.
Margaret Burrow, a friend of Mr Holt and his fiancee Gemma Moorby, has nominated Oscar and Jasper to be Christmas Stars.
Mrs Barrow said Oscar shows “great kindness and selflessness to make big sacrifices” for the love of his brother. She said: “Oscar has done wonders to bring Jasper on.
“Jasper tries to copy him, I don’t think he would have made the progress he has without his big brother.”
Mrs Burrow said Jasper is a very brave little boy in the way he copes with all the treatments he has to undergo.
Mr Holt said the family sticks together and that it has been tough for Oscar, as well as Jasper with his medical issues.
The proud dad said Oscar will do anything to help his best buddy.
Christmas Stars is supported by Heath’s Toymaster in Dalton Road, Barrow.
There are awards for children showing bravery and kindness, with two winners receiving a visit from Father Christmas and fabulous gifts courtesy of Heath’s.
There will also be a Christmas Party with Santa for our nominees during Christmas week.
OTHER NOMINEES:
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