Team Ama - Run or Dye 2015, King's Park Bournemouth
Gay Jibson is raising money for Julia's House
Participants: Louise Jibson, Lotty Jibson, Rachel Emm, Tilly Emm
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
My grand-daughter, Amabel, was born as one of twins two months prematurely when my grandson Eddie was 15 months old. Amabel was diagnosed with Quadriplegic Cerebral palsy when she was six weeks old. She was subsequently diagnosed with epilepsy and visual impairment. Medically, along the way, she has developed gastro-oesophageal reflux, feeding difficulties, dislocated hips, sleep difficulties and severe lumbar lordosis. She has had numerous surgeries and procedures in her eleven years. Given Ama's visual impairment and very limited motor skills, she needs one-to-one support at all times to ensure her needs are addressed and to enable her to engage and interact with the world around her.
Fortunately, my son Nick, daughter-in-law Lou and their three children are lucky enough to have recently been given support from Julia's House. This wonderful hospice provides care and support for the whole family. They offer hospice sessions with lots of fun activities that Ama really enjoys and also offer days where one-to-one support is given to Ama to enable Nick and Lou to devote more time to Lotty and Eddie who, through their lives, have had to face so many concessions. Julia's House can also offer support in the home.
Julia's House recognises the importance of the whole family in responding to the needs of children. They provide get-togethers for families, like Christmas parties and summer barbecues, as well as fun outings for siblings; Lotty and Eddie have already enjoyed going ice skating and attending a sleepover. They are currently looking forward to a day out to Legoland and a residential watersports trip. In understanding the value of wider support networks to families, they even provide trips and get-togethers for parents.
On 11th July, I will be running and walking the "Run or Dye" 5k in Bournemouth to raise money for this invaluable charity. Any donations/sponsorship, no matter how small, will help the continuation of this amazing service from which my family and many others directly benefit.
Julia’s House supports Dorset and Wiltshire families with life-limited children, providing frequent respite care both in its Corfe Mullen-based hospice and in their own homes. Julia’s House is there year-round and in a crisis, offering emotional and practical support, emergency respite and end-of-life care. It supports the whole family, not just the sick child, organising social activities for parents and siblings. Government funding accounts for just 7 per cent of the £4.6m Julia’s House needs to raise in 2015 to run this vital free service.