A friend on facebook brought me to the attention of LauraLynn House in southern Ireland. She contacted me in the hope I could help raise awareness for this children’s hospice that receives no funding from the Irish government and relies on kind donations and the help of volunteers. She also introduced me to baby Victoria Thompson, a beautiful little girl who loves pink and has become a beacon of hope and inspiration through her facebook page (written by her Mother) to raise awareness for Laura Lynn house and the children and parents that reside there, safe in the knowledge that their babies are spending their final days in a beautiful, safe, caring facility that is sensitive to such a difficult period of time.
At a time when facebook is receiving growing criticism this is a heart-warming example of how social media can be hugely beneficial to charities and vital causes. Laura Lynn house is even more special in the fact that it was born from the grief of Brendan and Jane McKenna who sadly lost their two daughters within a short period of time at an early age. Having met with the Chairman and CEO of The Children’s Sunshine Home, the LauraLynn Children’s Hospice made the decision to merge in 2006 and opened their doors on Tuesday 27th September 2011.
The hospice is proof that with strength of heart and perseverance, good can come from sorrow.
The home from home atmosphere means parents stay upstairs in a hotel style suite and can phone nurses and carers to check on their child throughout the night. The children’s rooms are bright, spacious and spotless with comfy chairs for the parents to sit for long periods with their child in the daytime. There is a large dayroom where the children are brought to socialize. Music plays continually and an activity board on the wall makes sure that every child is included in the events, regardless of age, illness or ability. Alongside the general day-to-day medical care the children have access to physiotherapists, dieticians, massage therapists, music therapy, and dog therapy.
At the end of a child’s life there is a beautiful place of rest called the Butterfly suite where families have privacy to prepare for the funeral and be alone with their child. Butterflies are place at the door of prominent rooms so as to alert others to be conscious that a family is grieving.
It is these levels of thought and care for every last details that help make LauraLynn house the sanctuary that it is. It is vital to raise awareness through fundraising and donations so that the care that baby Victoria is so lucky to have, continue and help many more families and children in the future.
As Victoria’s Mother says;
“Every parent wants what is best for his or her child. LauraLynn is the best for Victoria, as it will be for many children, for years to come. We hope that any child can have access to the same care. We hope that any family could feel the same peace, in the hell, of loosing a child.”
You can learn more about how you can help donate to LauraLynn house by clicking here.
What do you think?