Paris Fury has revealed her sister Romain has the mental capacity of a ‘five-year-old’ after she developed whooping cough when she was six weeks old.
The wife of boxer Tyson Fury shared her secret family heartache in her new memoir Love and Fury, explaining she was left with brain damage after battling the disease as an infant. Paris added that caring for her sister help her ‘grow up faster’ because she realised her sister would need ‘a large amount of her parents’ attention,’ and she’s learned how to ‘love and support’ her family.Difficult: Paris Fury has revealed her sister Romain has the mental capacity of a ‘five-year-old’ after she developed whooping cough when she was six weeks oldThe mother-of-six has three siblings, a brother and sisters Romain and Montana.
In an extract from her book as published by The Sun, Paris said: ‘At just six weeks old, she contracted whooping cough – a fairly common but highly contagious bacterial disease – and spent a lot of time in and out of Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
‘Her case was more severe than most, sadly, and led to serious breathing difficulties that ultimately and tragically caused damage to her brain.’Paris went onto reveal that doctors assured her parents that Romain would have full physical capabilities, but they were unsure whether she’d suffered any brain damage.
However, when she reached primary school age, Romain’s development stalled.
In her book Paris continued: ‘During a hospital appointment Mam and Dad were given the sad news that, in all likelihood, their daughter would forever have the mental capacity of a five-year-old.’
While detailing Romain’s story, Paris noted she had to ‘grow up faster’ upon learning how much extra attention she needed from her parents, but it has also helped her to realise the importance of her family.
She added that Romain still lives with her parents, and her mother ensured that she and her siblings still enjoyed a happy, safe childhood. Whooping cough, medically known as pertussis, causes coughing bouts which can last for up several months.
It is spread through sneezes, and the first symptoms are often a runny nose, watery eyes and sore throat.
The infection has its name because between coughs children can make a ‘whoop’ sound when they gasp for breath, the NHS says.
Complications of whooping cough can include breathing difficulties, weight loss, brain damage and even death, in some cases.
Complications of whooping cough can include breathing difficulties, weight loss, brain damage and even death, in some casesIf the disease is developed in babies, it can cause severe complications including pneumonia, seizures and dehydration.
It comes after Paris also reflecting her relationship with Tyson by insisting she isn’t with the sportsman for his vast fortune.
She told talkSPORT of her beau, 33: ‘All the things we’ve been through, we’ve been together through six kids, that’s what people don’t know.
‘People that are fans of us know that, but a lot of people look and think, “She’s here for the money.” They don’t realise we’ve been together from like 15, 16.’
In the lead up to the release of her autobiography, Paris revealed the pair believe it important to keep their six children grounded despite their privilege.
She told OK! magazine, ‘We’re trying our hardest. I want the children to be grounded and have the normal upbringing me and Tyson both had.We’ll go down the Poundshop and the B&M, and I’ll say they can’t have certain things. I’d be so disappointed if they grew up not knowing the value of anything, so we do try.’
Paris, who is set to release book Love and Fury later this month, has now been married to her sportsman beau for 12 years, with the couple sharing children Venezuela, 12, Prince John James, nine, Prince Tyson II, four, Prince Adonis Amaziah, two, and Athena, two months.