“Claire House isn’t just a hospice, it’s a family.”
Parents Emmie and Liam tell how Claire House Children’s Hospice gives them a treasured Christmas to remember with daughter Arla.
Smiling as they put up the cute Christmas handprints, parents Emmie and Liam treasure the special artwork their daughter brings home from Claire House.
But those handmade creations are even more precious, with the Wood family never knowing how many more Christmases they’ll have with their little girl, Arla.
Thankfully, Claire House Children’s Hospice is there to give the family a magical Christmas to remember with their seriously ill daughter.
“We don’t necessarily know how long we have with Arla,” explains Emmie. “So, every Christmas, every memory and every experience that we share as a family is precious to us.
“The work, the love and the effort put in by Claire House to provide children with Christmas memories that we can share for a lifetime is fantastic.”
Arla, four, has Pompe’s disease – a rare genetic disorder in which too many complex sugars build up in the body’s cells, leading to neurological conditions, breathing problems and a weakness in the heart and muscles.
There is no cure for the cruel illness, but the family say Claire House help them make “memories that we’ll cherish forever”.
Emmie says: “At Christmas time, Claire House throws a massive Christmas party and it’s fantastic. They go all out, it’s the full works!
“The kids play and have fun. We all let our hair down and dance and sing and just generally make Christmas memories to last a lifetime.
“Arla always comes home from her day care sessions at Christmas with pictures, handprints and things that we can frame or put on the Christmas tree. They’re so special because they are there to last a lifetime”.
Knowing Arla is having the best time in her “home from home”, especially at Christmas time, means the world to the family.
Says Emmie: “Claire House is like a sanctuary to us. It’s not just a hospice, it’s a place where children can be in a family unit.
“We see the staff as family and friends and if Arla could come to Claire House every day, she would, especially at Christmas time!
“Initially, I was hesitant and thought it was just for seriously poorly children. But going to Claire House, and attending the events, has shown me that the children may be poorly, but they go there to make memories.”
And the support and memory making extends to Arla’s three siblings, Mollie, Brandon and Emelia.
“The support Claire House offers is irreplaceable”, says Emmie. “They offer counselling for us as a family.
“There are siblings’ events, where our children can meet other children in similar circumstances, which is so important as they can’t always talk about their feelings in school to their peers.
“Arla has also made very close friendships with the care team at Claire House. She’s always so excited to see them!
“Without Claire House, families like ours wouldn’t get the support they truly need. Whether it’s day care, counselling, holistic therapies or day trips for the siblings, they offer so much support, but it’s never forced.
“Obviously, with rare conditions like Arla’s you could easily feel very alone, but Claire House offers these services and opens doors for you to meet other families, so you don’t feel so isolated.
“I would encourage everyone to donate to Claire House this Christmas because the more we get the community involved, the more Claire House can help families like ours.
“Every donation counts and goes towards families making memories that they may not get in years to come.”
You can make Christmas special for poorly children like Arla and her family. Please give to the Claire House Christmas Appeal.