By Jenny-Anne Dexter | Project Leader
Isabel was just a typical happy, healthy seven year old child until one morning in 2013. When she woke up, she was unable to swallow or hold her head up – all she could do was cry. She spent 16 days in intensive care. She was unable to move independently, feed herself or verbally communicate but the doctors were unable to determine what had caused this. Isabel still doesn’t have a diagnosis.
In October 2013, Andrea, Isabel’s mum, was introduced to Sean, a Family Support Worker in the Manchester Care Team. After the meeting, Sean spent time with Isabel at the hospital to give Andrea a couple of hours to do whatever she needed, for example, the washing or even a couple of hours sleep.
Rainbow Trust provides support to the whole family. “That’s the good thing about Sean – it doesn’t matter which one of us needs him at the time. Rainbow Trust is so versatile because whatever you need at that moment, that’s what you get help with. It’s just nice having somebody there that you know is there for you.”
Due to Isabel’s condition, the family had to move to a bungalow and Sean was there to help out. It was a lot further away from school, so he would drive Isabel’s siblings, Kaitlin, 4 and Eden, 6 to school. He also helped get Isabel ready every Thursday morning until she started school.
As well as providing practical support, Sean also helps Andrea emotionally. “He was there from the start so he knows everything and he seems to sense when I’m having a bad day, because he’ll ring at the right time”.
On one occasion, Isabel’s school was closed and Andrea needed to go food shopping. Unable to push both Isabel’s wheelchair and a food trolley, she called Sean and he came over to help. "If anything goes wrong and I need help, I know that all I’ve got to do is ring Sean and if he can help, he will.”
Despite Isabel’s life threatening condition, Andrea describes her as really happy. “She may not be verbal and she can’t do anything for herself but she’s happy because she’s got some really nice people around her.” Rainbow Trust will be there to support Andrea’s family for as long they need.
Every donation you make to Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity will support families like Andrea’s, for whom the simple things make a huge difference for the whole family. Thank you.
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