The Children's Sunshine Home

Families

My Son Alec

When Alec was born, it was a huge shock for my husband John Paul and myself to hear that he had a condition that would leave him severely handicapped. 5 years earlier our family had been devastated by the death of our daughter Ellen, who we were told had an almost identical cat scan to Alec.

One doctor told us that no one could say exactly how this would pan out. This gave me hope, and Alec's character to me seemed determined and quite cranky which reassured me of his survival. Alec made it quite clear when he wasn't happy with something.

Alec had a lengthy spell in hospital. It soon became clear that Alec would be dependent on oxygen, would require a lot of medication and quite a bit of medical paraphernalia 24/7. My stomach churned. I shook with fear and dread. I was totally ill equipped to deal with this responsibility.

I can't remember exactly when The Children's Sunshine Home stepped in, but I remember meeting Shirley and Breda in hospital and we had lunch in the hospital canteen. They worked with children like Alec every day. They gave me so much support. They explained to me that Alec could be fed through a tube and would get adequate nutrition this way - he is only just two now and looks at least twice his age.

Alec shares a room in The Children's Sunshine Home with another little girl. The atmosphere there is relaxed and happy, and the staff are as warm as you'd expect to find at your own home.

The nursing staff provide excellent care to Alec which allows me to enjoy some quality time with him and his older brothers, John and Peter. John really enjoys The Children's Sunshine Home and often reads to the other children, while his younger brother, Peter can often be heard chuckling away playing with the physiotherapy balls, which of course, he shouldn't do.

The Children's Sunshine Home is like an oasis - where you can be with your child, listen to music, watch a DVD or sing and play with your child. There is an early intervention programme each morning where we sing familiar songs with the children, explore the senses, and recreate a seashore scene with all the associated sounds, textures and smells.

And it's true, nurses ready do know how to party: the Staff never fail to make a fuss of someone on their birthday, at Halloween, Easter and of course, Christmas.

I would never have believed I could laugh so much in the midst of all of this, I hope we all continue to do so, especially, Alec.

Written by Oonagh, Alec's mum