They said it could never happen twice — but it did

Margaret Clayton tells a story of love and devotion which broke her heart. THESE TWO little sisters share an amazing bond of love. Melissa and Leanna Croall from Glasgow suffer an undiagnosed, terminal brain disorder which has baffled doctors. But despite their severe handicaps Melissa, who is seven, and her two-year-old sister, help each other through their suffering.  They cannot speak, walk or even touch each other, but they communicate with their eyes and each seems to know how the other is feeling. Melissa has large, bright brown eyes and they rest fondly on her sister, sending a message of encouragement. Leanna blinks back as if to show she understands. Their mum Mary (36) says, “I am with my daughters all day long and I know they understand what I’m saying to them.  “I know when they’re happy and when they’re sad. I know when they’re excited — sliding down the chute at Rachel House in the arms of a care worker.  “And I believe that despite being profoundly handicapped they are aware of each other and love each other.” The story of Mary and Gerry Croall and their two children is a tragic one. But when you meet the family there’s no air of gloom or sorrow. Instead they devote their energies to giving their girls the utmost love and care. Precious “I have had to work hard to come to terms with the fact I am going to lose Melissa and Leanna. But I’m now at a place where I accept they won’t ever be teenagers. This means every moment we share is precious.”  When Melissa was born in Rutherglen Maternity she was a perfect little baby with dark hair and a beauty spot on her cheek. She was very sleepy, though — the first hint her parents had that anything was wrong. At four months, tests at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children showed Melissa had a rare brain condition, the only case of its kind in Britain.  Doctors assured her parents there was very little chance this was genetic or that any future children would have a similar illness.  So Mary and Gerry, from Croftfoot, decided to have another baby. Mary’s eyes fill with tears as she talks about the heartache of realising their second daughter had the same brain disorder. “That was the hardest blow to take,” she says. “It seemed very cruel to have to go through this again and know what the future held for Leanna. But we loved her as much as we loved Melissa, so we decided to get on with things and make the most of it.  “They are the centre of our world and they bring us so much joy.” The regime at home is very tough — round-the-clock care of two disabled girls who are fed by tubes and need to be washed and changed regularly.  Fluid builds up in their lungs because they can’t move, so they need physiotherapy twice a day. Mary, who is slim and active, says it’s 10 pm before she and Gerry can sit down when the girls are tucked up in bed. Then after a short rest (the girls are often restless during the night) the hard routine begins again. That’s why Rachel House matters so much to this family.  “It’s our lifeline,” says Mary simply. “We’ve been coming here for five years. It means I can have a sleep knowing my daughters are being looked after.  “In the afternoons I have the sheer luxury of an aromatherapy massage without feeling guilty. Or I can talk to other mums who are in a similar situation. It’s the best comfort in the world to know you are not going through this alone. “I have made many good friends here. Of course it’s very sad when someone’s child dies — we all share the sense of loss. But the love from the staff just wraps itself round you like a blanket.” The Croalls visit Rachel House six times a year. Two of their favourite “friends” are care workers Val Elliot (29) and Avril Anderson (33). They play games with the girls, read them stories, brush their hair and take them out into the garden.  Special chair Melissa and Leanna also enjoy having a Jacuzzi or lying in the sensory room relaxing on the water bed. Melissa has a special chair which cost £12,000 and it means she can go on outings with staff from the hospice.  It was donated by the Variety Club in Scotland. Her uncle David McBride is on the Committee.  On November 25 the Variety Club, in association with The Sunday Post and the Friends of CHAS, is holding a Spirit of Youth concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Mary Croall says, “I hope people find it in their heart to support it. Unless you are in the position of having severely disabled children who desperately need help, it’s hard to understand what a place like Rachel House means to a family.  “It’s my haven. It gives me a place to rest and grow strong again so I can face the future.  “I know in my heart I don’t have forever with my two beautiful girls. But I do have now, today. And thanks to CHAS every moment we have together is precious.”  For full details of the concert follow this link.

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