By Sharon Carter | Trusts and Foundations Manager
Rainbow Trust's hospital support has been invaluable to Joysie Piedade's mother Ana. Joysie was starved of oxygen at birth and faced a prolonged stay in hospital.
From the moment Family Support Worker Alison met the young family, she made a difference. Without a car, Ana was relying on public transport to get to and from hospital. Alison started taking the family to hospital appointments so that the time Ana spent travelling was significantly reduced and far less stressful. She also helped by taking Ana's son Zion to school.
"I couldn't spent time with Zio as I couldn't leave Joysie alone in hospital; it was so difficult doing everything alone. I had such a feeling of relief when I met Alison and she asked me what she could do to help. She's wonderful to have at hospital appointments, someone else to listen to what the doctor is saying and to be another pair of eyes and hands for my two children. Also there's someone to listen to my concerns; it can be very lonely and terrifying being a single mum."
Joysie's pushchiar didn't fit in the back of a taxi and was too heavy for Ana to take on a bus. Alison's Rainbow Trust Kangoo was the only vehicle she could use with ease which also had space for all Joysie's breathing apparatus and suction tubes.
"When Joysie started having fits and went in and out of comas over Christmas, Alison was there for us. She came to visit us in the hospital and brought Zion with her, also taking him to school. It was an awful time and I tried to be strong and hope for the best but I wouldn't have been able to cope if it hadn't been for Alison's support."
There is no definite long term prognosis for Joysie and Ana is continuing to cope with the uncertainty.
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