Meet some of our inspirational children, teenagers, young adults and their families.
Smiley and mischievous Hannah was just 6 months old when her mum, Claire, first walked through the doors of The Donna Louise. And since then, coming to the hospice has been a constant source of fun, familiarity and comfort for Hannah, as well as vital lifeline for Claire. Now, almost 15 years on, Claire looks back on what The Donna Louise has meant to her and Hannah.
A big smile beams on 11 year-old Thomas’s face when mum tells him it’s time for a sleepover at The Donna Louise. Bringing his best train set to put in his bedroom and favourite pictures to hang on the wall, the hospice has become a warm, comforting and fun-filled home from home for Thomas.
“I always go over the top for Kayla at Christmas, because I never really know whether this will be her last.”
When I was pregnant with Kayla, I was told she wouldn’t survive the birth. They’d found fluid on her brain and said that she wouldn’t be able to breathe on her own. But when she was born, she came out screaming – and it’s been a rollercoaster ride ever since.
Three year-old Lottie is a bright, bubbly and independent little girl who loves nothing more than singing and socialising. And no matter what she might be going through, she always has a big smile on her face.
Isaiah was just four months old when he had his first seizure, and soon after, it was confirmed he was suffering with infantile spasms, a type of seizure disorder. But this was only the beginning for Isaiah and his mum, Naomi...
“The first time that we heard of The Donna Louise was when our Consultant told us that Mckayla was not going to survive. We were given the choices of leaving Mckayla in hospital, taking her home or moving her to the hospice. We knew straight away that the first two options were not what we wanted, so she arranged for us to come straight over and view the facilities and speak with the team at The Donna Louise.
After Cian’s respite stays at The Donna Louise, he proudly takes his newly-collected Moment Beads home to show his mum, Sarah. It’s a special moment together as she gets to see what fun things he’s being doing.
