Lisa Cook
Running for Ruben
Fundraising for Royal School for the Blind
Story
Our son Ruben, came into our lives on the 30th June 2016 after a healthy and relatively normal pregnancy. Ruben was born severely disabled with an undiagnosed genetic syndrome. We were told that he had significant health issues and the prognosis seemed very bleak.
The four months that followed in hospital were tough, yet despite all the odds, Ruben fought and kept on fighting. After sixteen weeks, my wife Emma and I were overjoyed to finally bring him home and start living life as a family. Our love for him was overwhelming and despite all his complexities, he brought such an incredible amount of joy into our lives.
Once we had Ruben settled at home, we were introduced to The Royal School for the Blind, Liverpool. Here is a place where children and young people with visual impairments and other complex disabilities learn and grow. The school welcomed us with open arms and during the ten months that followed, we attended weekly classes including play groups, hydrotherapy and sensory classes.
As well as this, we were invited to their social events such as Christmas parties and the summer BBQ. It was a place of understanding and unrelenting support, not just for Ruben but also for Emma and I. A place where we could meet and be with other families in similar situations and where we didn't feel as though we were 'the only ones'.
On the 1st September 2017, following a short and unexpected illness, our beautiful boy passed away in hospital. We've been left heartbroken but equally, feeling truly blessed and honored to have had Ruben in our lives for the time that he was here. Fourteen precious months that have changed us forever. All for the better.
We will be forever grateful for the kindness and support shown to us by The Royal School for the Blind in the time we spent there. The team there do an amazing job and deserve all the recognition they get.
So, to support them and as a token of our appreciation, I'm planning to raise some money to help funding towards a new sensory wet play area within the school’s newly built nursery. This will provide the children with a multitude of wonderful development and learning opportunities.
Along with a group of friends; Kirsten, Shirl, Caz, Claire, Glynis, Will, Nikki & Jenny, I will be undertaking the 'Rough Runner’ challenge in Manchester on 16th June 2018. Wish us luck!
https://roughrunner.com/manchester/
Thanks for taking the time to read our story. I know that both Emma and I would be incredibly grateful for any contribution you are able to make to this wonderful charity.
The four months that followed in hospital were tough, yet despite all the odds, Ruben fought and kept on fighting. After sixteen weeks, my wife Emma and I were overjoyed to finally bring him home and start living life as a family. Our love for him was overwhelming and despite all his complexities, he brought such an incredible amount of joy into our lives.
Once we had Ruben settled at home, we were introduced to The Royal School for the Blind, Liverpool. Here is a place where children and young people with visual impairments and other complex disabilities learn and grow. The school welcomed us with open arms and during the ten months that followed, we attended weekly classes including play groups, hydrotherapy and sensory classes.
As well as this, we were invited to their social events such as Christmas parties and the summer BBQ. It was a place of understanding and unrelenting support, not just for Ruben but also for Emma and I. A place where we could meet and be with other families in similar situations and where we didn't feel as though we were 'the only ones'.
On the 1st September 2017, following a short and unexpected illness, our beautiful boy passed away in hospital. We've been left heartbroken but equally, feeling truly blessed and honored to have had Ruben in our lives for the time that he was here. Fourteen precious months that have changed us forever. All for the better.
We will be forever grateful for the kindness and support shown to us by The Royal School for the Blind in the time we spent there. The team there do an amazing job and deserve all the recognition they get.
So, to support them and as a token of our appreciation, I'm planning to raise some money to help funding towards a new sensory wet play area within the school’s newly built nursery. This will provide the children with a multitude of wonderful development and learning opportunities.
Along with a group of friends; Kirsten, Shirl, Caz, Claire, Glynis, Will, Nikki & Jenny, I will be undertaking the 'Rough Runner’ challenge in Manchester on 16th June 2018. Wish us luck!
https://roughrunner.com/manchester/
Thanks for taking the time to read our story. I know that both Emma and I would be incredibly grateful for any contribution you are able to make to this wonderful charity.