Rachel
House helped her come to terms with loss of grandson Aran
Avril found courage to walk the corridor
By Kathryn Mainds
ARAN DOW would have been proud of his
gran.
 Two-year-old Aran, from Coatbridge, spent some time at Rachel House. But sadly, in July this year, Aran lost his battle with holoprosencephaly and hydrocephalus, the complex medical conditions he was born with.
After he passed away, mum Gillian held her son in her arms all the way from Glasgow’s Yorkhill Hospital to Rachel House where a memorial service was held.
At the service, Gillian was given a memory bag with lots of precious gifts, from a lock of Aran’s hair to his painted footprints on paper — things that no amount of money could buy.
Gillian told us, “Everyone who knew Aran fell in love with him.
“At first, I wasn’t sure about taking him to a hospice, but when you go to Rachel House you realise it’s a happy place.
|
 Above — Avril (left) and Kimberley hand over their cheque to Helen.
Below — Aran, who inspired his gran and sister to their great efforts.
|
Friendly
“Everyone there was so friendly and I still get a phone call every week from CHAS social worker Helen Walker.”
Devastated by the loss of her grandson, Avril, from Coatbridge, took comfort in the happy times Aran spent at Rachel House and wanted to raise some money in his memory as a way of saying thanks.
And on Tuesday Avril courageously returned to Rachel House and handed over a cheque for a fantastic
£3300. Seated in one of Rachel House’s many quiet rooms,
Avril smiled, “Aran loved coming here.
“You would see the big smile light up his face as he came into Rachel House and all the staff would be round him. He always knew where he was. It was like his second home.
“I came up here with Aran and his mum. The staff here are magnificent and care for the whole family.
“It’s not like a hospital but more like a holiday. His sister, Kimberley used to love coming here too.”
She added, “It’s such a cheerful place and the staff here are so friendly. They’re like family.”
Avril made her first trip back to Rachel House just over a week ago for an overnight stay.
But she was dreading walking along the corridor past all the photos of the children, with a small butterfly now on Aran’s photos (a sign that he has passed away) and was least looking forward to passing the room where Aran stayed.
Avril sighs, “I didn’t want to walk up that corridor. I just didn’t want to do it.”
But the familiar smiles of the staff at Rachel House helped her get over that fear and on Tuesday past she did it once again, conceding that returning actually helped her come to terms with Aran’s death.
Pointing out photos of children she got to know during her time there, Avril beams, “A few of the parents we know in the Coatbridge area came along to the raffle, bingo night and disco at Kirkshaws Social Club, who kindly donated use of their hall.”
Generous
Friendly faces from CHAS were also there and an excellent time was had by all. Friends and family were extremely generous, donating a DVD player and dinner set. Avril donated a television. There were signed Rangers and Celtic shirts up for grabs and local businesses offered some big prizes too, including meals out in local restaurants.
Gillian beams, “It’s because of Aran this money was raised. If it wasn’t for him we’d never have been able to do it.
“He was a really popular wee boy.”
Aran’s sister, eight-year-old Kimberley, with whom Aran shared the same birthday, was there too helping out with the tickets and has also had great support from CHAS in coping with the loss of her wee brother, getting a phone call every week to see how she’s doing.
And Helen Walker was delighted to accept the cheque presented by Avril and Kimberley.
She beamed, “It was a magnificent effort and is obviously a reflection of the fact the family felt they were able to get the support they needed while they were here.
“But we don’t expect this of families. It’s very kind.” |
You can e-mail us at:
hospice@sundaypost.com
|
