Dear Very Important Parent,
Over the past four years, I have witnessed you taking on so many roles as you have supported your child through hospital admissions.
Not only are you ‘Mummy’ or ‘Daddy’, but you are also a caregiver, a nurse, a comfort blanket, countless words of reassurance, a constant source of energy…
You have meetings, retain information and relay that information on to other family members.
You wash, provide food, provide distractions and kiss away pain.
All on a daily basis, and all whilst feeling an immense amount of stress. And you do this because as parents this is simply your job.
Well, our job at CHSF is to take care of you.
Take care of you and ensure you have support and someone to lean on.
There is no one in the world who can do the job you do, and do it as well as you, so when the day is over, please remember to do something for yourself.
Get some fresh air, eat something, take a shower or a bath, make a call to a friend or simply close your eyes, rest, and recharge.
And when the simple things seem the hardest, be kind to yourself and ask for support.
With love,
Sarah x
Sarah joined CHSF in 2020 when we launched our brand new Family Support service. Four years later, Sarah is now Head of Family Support and leads the team in being there for our heart families when they need us most.
Find out more about CHSF’s Family Support service and request support here.
Support for Heart Families on the Neonatal Unit
The neonatal unit (ward L43) cares for babies who need extra help after they are born. This includes babies born with heart disease, and we asked Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Jenny Naylor to describe how CHSF work with NHS staff to support patient’s families...
Christmas Wreath Making
Adult patients and parents are invited to CHSF’s Christmas Wreath Making When? Wednesday 10th December Where? Joseph's Well, Suite D14 [Google maps] Time: 1pm - 4pm Who? Adults with CHD and heart parentsJoin the CHSF team for a festive afternoon of wreath making! Meet...
The jobs market when you’re a ‘first generation’ middle-aged heart patient
"Funny looking pic, isn't it? The above photo is my aorta, mid-operation in 2008, as a truly wonderful team at Leeds General Infirmary battled to save my life. "Not my first heart surgery, but definitely my most dramatic and frightening."I've been involved with all...


