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After a life inside hospital, it’s hometime for Tommy
Ellen Widdup09.04.09
A NINE-MONTH-OLD baby who has been in hospital nearly his whole life is finally going home.
Tommy Bullman has been at University College Hospital since he was diagnosed with a rare medical condition at three weeks old.
He was not allowed to leave as his parents' two-bedroom flat was too small for medical equipment and council managers said they could not find a bigger home — despite having 145 vacant properties on their books.
The family's plight was reported by the Standard in December. Today Islington council said it had finally found a four-bedroom flat for the family.
His mother Sarah, 33, said: “I missed the first time he rolled over. I missed his first tooth coming through.
“His first word was hello', which is how the doctors greet him. He still hasn't said mum'. It's been heartbreaking.”
She said she was still waiting to hear when they could move into the new home off Caledonian Road. They expect to get the keys within weeks.
“I am so excited at the prospect of getting him back,” said Mrs Bullman. “I thought the process would be quicker, given that it was a baby away from his family, but there just didn't seem to be any properties.”
Tommy was born in UCLH on 21 July and readmitted three weeks later after failing to put on weight.
He was diagnosed with bulbar palsy, a brain disorder that affects 1,250 people in Britain. He cannot swallow and needs a feeding pump, oxygen and a suction machine to remove excess saliva from his mouth.
The Bullmans have been living with their other children Lauren, eight, and Freddie, five, in a two-bedroom home, and were told Tommy would need a room of his own.
At Christmas, Mrs Bullman said: “Lauren has written to Santa asking could he leave the keys for a house under the tree.”
Terry Stacy, deputy leader of the council, said: “We have kept in constant contact with the family to keep them up to date with which properties were available. I hope the Bullmans are very happy in their new home.”
