Lucy's story

Lucy's Lifelong Treatment

Lucy was first admitted to the Sick Kids the day she was born. She was diagnosed with previously undetected Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus and transferred to the hospital at only a couple of hours old.

The very next day, she had her first surgery. She then spent most of the first four months of her life on Ward 7.

She requires life-long treatment, so is a familiar, smiley face at Edinburgh’s children’s hospital.

Mum Jeanette says, “While in hospital, Lucy hugely enjoys her time with the Play Specialists whose work is funded by ECHC. They have made a huge difference to her ability to cope with stressful experiences.

“She also loves her dance sessions on the wards and in the community. Both are run by the charity so that children like Lucy who aren’t able to go to your typical dance classes can enjoy dancing. She also really looks forward to the music sessions on the wards.

“As a parent, these activities improve Lucy’s hospital experiences but also help me by allowing me a little respite from being sat at her bedside. The visits really help to break up what can be a very long day when you are there alone with your child.

“We have now had a couple of appointments at the new children’s hospital and what a difference! Lucy is a full-time wheelchair user, so even just the space that the new hospital has compared to the old building is incredible. The inclusion of changing facilities for disabled young people is great to see too.”

Lapping the Map

Superstar Lucy decided to clock her kilometres for our Lap the Map 2021 challenge to raise funds for children, young people and families in hospital, and we were so proud to have her on Team ECHC!

“We decided to take part in Lap the Map to give a bit of an incentive to get out walking more – and if we raised some funds for this amazing charity while doing it so that was an added bonus! My sister and nephew were actually also on Team Glasgow, so that motivated us to try and beat them too!” – Jeanette, Lucy’s mum