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Jack’s story: “Martin House is our safety blanket.”

Children’s hospices provide vital support for children and young people with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. Everything they do is #ForTheChildren –helping families make the most of their lives together, no matter how short.

This Children’s Hospice Week we are showing how important each individual child is to the amazing local hospices who care for them. They provide a lifeline #ForTheChildren like Jack.

13-year-old Jack was diagnosed as a baby with conditions that mean his brain hasn’t grown as fast as it should and he can’t swallow properly – as well as severe epileptic seizures which starve his brain of oxygen. Jack spent a lot of his young life in hospital.

When the family were referred to Martin House, they knew they would have support when they need it. Rachel said: “I used to feel alone and scared. When Jack was younger, I would go to the doctors on a Friday just to get the all clear for the weekend because I was so frightened that everything would be shut.”

“Now we have Martin House, I know I don’t have to be scared. I can just ring and speak to a doctor, even if it’s the weekend or at night – it’s our safety blanket.”

 

“When we had our first stay I was really excited to take him, and he loved it. I’m looking forward to the days when we can go as a whole family, because I also think it will be great for my two younger children, Georgia,11, and Josh, eight.”

“As a family we really do just get on with what we’ve been given, and we try to make enjoyment out of everything. We don’t know how long we’ve got him for, so we need to live life every day as it comes.”

Children’s hospices like Martin House provide vital support for children like Jack’s. Show your support #ForTheChildren this #ChildrensHospiceWeek.

Family stories