Star Born

Aside

Yesterday I went with my friend Margaret and some Townswomen’s Guild members (I was a guest) to visit Charlton Farm – a Children’s Hospice which is nestled in the valley of Wraxall near Bristol It provides a secluded and beautiful setting where families and their sick children can take some time out enjoying life together as a family.

The children who use the Hospice will have Life Limiting, or Life Threatening Conditions, which mean that they are not expected to live into adulthood. Some families may use the hospice for many years, from the time the child is first diagnosed; they may come for planned respite, or for emergency care, depending on their needs and the support that the family request. Sometimes grand-parents are catered for.

A special carer looks after the needs of the sick child and siblings have their own special career if they require and are supported throughout the life of their brother or sister and the end of this life and following death. The sibling staff is able to provide bereavement activities and care specifically for the children and spend time focusing on their need and the needs of the whole family.

The hospice provides a special room, Star born; this is a room where children can lie after their death. It allows for a private space for families to say their goodbyes. It can be used by both the families whose child has died in the hospice as well as those who have died at home or in hospital.

This is the only week in the year when the Hospice is closed for maintenance but when I asked one of the volunteers if I could take photographs she told me that although they were closed they could never turn a child away – they had admitted a family and the child had died. Therefore parts of the Hospice would be closed to us.

She was visibly upset so I said not to worry; however later she told me it was perfectly alright to take photos as long as I didn’t take any of the staff. We spent the morning being shown round by one of the devoted volunteers and I think the pictures speak for themselves. As we left the Hospice an ambulance was arriving.

Wednesday Waffle

Aside

Just coming to the end of ‘Atonement’ by Ian McEwan and my goodness he does go on. I’m glad I saw the film first or I may not have stayed the course. The book clarifies. For example in the film, Robbie’s death comes as something of a shock whereas the book makes it clear that he is gravely wounded. James McAvoy’s vivid portrayal of Robbie is with me as I read.

Full marks for McEwan’s hospital research and the following passage really hits home. I started training in 1947 having done pre – nursing in 19 46 and that’s how we did it then. When did it stop? When did it all go wrong? I’m talking about cleanliness and hygiene.

‘The wards emptied but the work intensified. Every morning the beds were pushed into the centre so that the probationers could polish the floor with a heavy bumper that a girl on her own could barely swing from side to side. The floors were to be swept three times a day. Vacated lockers were scrubbed, mattresses fumigated, brass coat hooks, door knobs and keyholes were buffed. The woodwork – doors as well as skirting – was washed down with carbolic solution and so were the beds themselves, the iron frames as well as springs. The students scoured, wiped and dried bedpans and bottles until they shone like dinner plates.’

‘The war against germs never stopped. The probationers were initiated into the cult of hygiene. They learned that there was nothing so loathsome as a wisp of blanket fluff hiding under a bed, concealing within its form a battalion, a whole division of bacteria. The everyday practice of boiling, scrubbing, buffing and wiping became the badge of the student’s professional pride, to which all personal comfort must be sacrificed.’

Right on!

Correction on the number of posts.

Although Dash board informs me that I have done 831 posts I have since realised that this high figure is because I can only publish four photos at one time with Picasa so they are counted as separate posts. Forgive me if I don’t work out the maths or math if you are across the pond.

On Thursday I am visiting a Children’s Hospice. Sadly the children won’t be there but it will be very interesting to see one of these wonderful places in person.