By Ellen Armour | Project Leader
Family Support Worker Georgia, who joined Rainbow Trust in February 2022, shares some of the support she provided to families with a seriously ill child.
Amongst other support, this week I picked up Matthew, five, who has a rare childhood cancer, and his mum, Sam, from home to take them to hospital for his regular MRI scan.
The MRI scan is a long one and Matthew has to be sedated, so I stay to provide support throughout the appointment. It is a long and stressful day for them. Matthew was taken for his scan three hours late so Sam and I tried to keep up with him and entertain him, as he is full of energy. I talked to Sam while Matthew was in his scan. Talking helps her manage her emotions.
I also provided school transport for Lucy, 10, allowing mum to stay home to give Sophia, Lucy’s sister who has a rare genetic disorder, her medication on time.
I then had a phone call where I provided much needed emotional support to a mum who is overwhelmed with her son’s serious illness. We had a good talk and developed a plan of action for moving forward.
This was followed by an after-school visit to Marley, four, whose 15-year-old-sister has acute myeloid leukaemia. We went to the soft play which gave Marley the chance to have some time to herself.
I took Elle to and from an appointment at hospital. Her two-year-old daughter, Delilah-Sky, suffers from an undiagnosed genetic condition.
After helping another family to do some overdue jobs around the house, I did an after-school visit with Mia, seven, who has an unnamed condition, and her little brother, eight-year-old Joe. I take lots of crafts to these visits as they love to get creative.
On Friday I took Lucy to school again. I have been doing so twice weekly to alleviate stress for her mum.
I also visited Mohammed, a three-year-old-little boy with a rare genetic condition. Mohammed needs to be observed 24/7 as he has no sense of danger. I take him out and about to give his mum a break, and to catch up on jobs that she struggles to do when Mohammed is at home. Mohammed loves to go up and down the supermarket aisles – we have lots of fun.
Each week is vastly different as Family Support Workers provide help tailored to each family’s needs. Your donation makes this essential support possible for families in crisis. Thank you.
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