Meet Iris. She is 9 years old and was born in Indonesia. After experiencing complications and difficulties at birth, she was left with severe brain damage, resulting in cerebral palsy. This affects her limbs, meaning that she cannot move, eat or do anything for herself, requiring her to need the support of a wheelchair and she is fed through a PICC line.
In a bid to get the best care and respite for Iris, her family moved to the UK in 2019 and into the arms of Helen & Douglas House.
Accessibility for Iris
We have many interactive and healing spaces for children and families to enjoy when they stay with us. These include a play/games room, a tranquil garden, a school room, relaxing sensory rooms and spaces, an open plan dining area and therapeutic pool.
We spoke to Iris’ mum Artittaya about her experience of Helen & Douglas House:
“The good thing is that there is room and facilities for Iris to get benefits of the things they have in the Hospice, such as the therapeutic pool and the sensory room. We don’t have a huge amount of room at home, and it isn’t that accessible for Iris.
When we visit, it is often for a few days at a time, but even day visits are good. Iris loves being in a different place, such as the Hospice.”
Making life easier for the family
As a hospice, we provide ease of multi-disciplinary care for children like Iris, allowing Iris’ doctor and neurologist to communicate under one roof, providing her the necessary medication she needs to live her life in comfort and allowing our care team to give her the best care possible.
We also provide on-site supportive accomodation at the hospice which has meant that while Iris stays at the hospice under the care of our nurses, Iris mum and her sister Edith can stay nearby and come over for a play session or a music session.
Artittaya said
“Iris’ doctors can change and try new medications; this means we don’t have to go to lots of different appointments. For example, you know the doctors can coordinate with her neurologist and get things sorted more quickly. ”
Making memories & meeting the Queen
From amazing summer parties, music sessions, festive shows, seasonal dressing up shenanigans, to meeting Queen Camilla at Clarence House for Christmas in 2023, Iris has loved every moment at Helen & Douglas House.
The benefits of supporter's contributions
Helen & Douglas House strives to be innovative with their fundraising, to generate many forms of income in order to provide exceptional care and medical assistance to children like Iris.
“It is hard to understand, but if you don’t have a child like Iris you don’t know how it feels. It is just good to have someone to help and believe in you. I want to thank the supporters who help make our lives a bit easier. Living with a child, like Iris, it is hard, but the Hospice enables us to do things together and give us accessible experiences. Iris is in school, life is a little easier for us”
– Artittaya, Iris’ Mum