Anais’ story
Seven-year-old Anais has been supported by Shooting Star Children’s Hospices since she was two months old. Anais comes to the hospice for respite stays, giving her a chance to play and enjoy all the things she likes to do, in a safe and fun environment.
Anais has Bulbar Palsy and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, conditions which means she requires specialist care and equipment to look after her. She has a tracheostomy to help her breathing and is regularly ventilated with oxygen for parts of the day and overnight. She also has a gastrostomy, which is a device in her tummy that’s used to feed her.
Despite Anais’ complex conditions, she doesn’t let that stop her from having lots of fun with everyone she meets and loves to come to the hospice. One of her favourite things to do is go swimming in our hydrotherapy pool and has even brought her much-loved toy dog Poppy to join her (on a float!). Public pools are often a difficult environment when you have a child with complex conditions, so our hydrotherapy pool provides a safe space with our dedicated care team to have some fun and enjoy the benefits of being in the water.
Over the years, Anais and her sister Freya have had the opportunity to attend some of our activity days at the hospice as well as a special afternoon tea – including meeting a very famous fox!
She also loves exploring all our garden has to offer, from scooting through the sensory garden to enjoying a go on the swings – with Poppy the dog joining in too of course!
Our care team always create different sensory activities to be enjoyed when supported children stay and knowing how much Anais loves all things Peppa Pig, there was only one design to create for her pumpkin over Halloween last year. She’s also been able to enjoy even more Peppa Pig fun recently, as we have had some additions to our collection, which were kindly donated by one of our supporters.
This month, Anais’ mum decided to set up a Facebook birthday fundraiser to raise money for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices – so Anais got crafty with the help of the care team, to create a birthday card and banner to say a huge happy birthday and thank you.
When you support us you are helping to provide care to children with complex conditions, like Anais’, creating special memories to be treasured.
You can help us be there for families now and into the future by donating.
