A Moray youngster has become the face of a national festive campaign to help support sick children facing Christmas in hospital.
Lucy Stewart, from Elgin, was chosen to front Starlight’s Christmas appeal in light of her own personal experiences.
The 12-year-old is no stranger to spending the festive season as an in-patient.
From birth, she was diagnosed with Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula and Oesophageal Atresia, a rare condition of the oesophagus and trachea.
The condition affects her food pipe, preventing food from passing from her throat to her stomach.
Due to her illness, the youngster has spent much of her childhood in the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, being supported by health play professionals.
She has now written a personal blog speaking about her experience in the hope of raising vital funds for the charity’s appeal.
‘Play distracts me from what is happening’
Starlight aims to raise £400,000 to fund play in as many health settings as possible.
Play therapy can help prepare a child for frightening treatments, distract them from painful procedures and prevent loneliness during lengthy hospital stays.
Lucy says having toys nearby was a helpful distraction for her at the toughest of times; particularly when getting blood taken.
She said: “When you are in hospital for a long time, it is boring. That is why having toys and games is good. It distracts me from what is happening.
“The doctors and nurses sometimes come to take my blood and it hurts so I like to play card games, even though Mum says I cheat because I always win.
“Some children in hospital don’t have people who can visit them because they are really poorly, this makes me really sad. They can play Fortnite or Minecraft on the tablets, but I think they would like to see their friends.
“It is not the same, but the play specialists and nurses are their friends in hospital and they are all super fun.”
Lucy hoping to spend Christmas at home this year
The Stewart family is hoping to spend Christmas at home surrounded by loved ones.
However, Lucy’s mum Claire says this could be in doubt as her daughter continues to battle a harsh cough.
She said: “Lucy has been a bit unwell the last couple of weeks with a cough, which is typical for this time of year. Hopefully, the course of antibiotics will help and she will stay out of hospital.
“Lucy is keeping everything crossed she avoids time in hospital as she loves Christmas in our house and also being able to do things with her friends.”
Mrs Stewart says the hospital’s play workers help to bring light to a scary time for sick children.
“Last year she missed school in the run up to Christmas and all the fun things that kids usually do,” she added.
“We had booked a breakfast with Santa and were planning on going to the panto. The play workers in the hospital were amazing and the pantomime came to the hospital so we could still watch it. They also gave out presents and had decorations on the ward.
“It wasn’t perfect being in hospital that time, but it was so nice to have these little things”.
Help support sick Children this festive season
Across the UK, thousands of seriously ill children will spend this Christmas in hospital, feeling anxious, scared, and alone.
Starlight is the UK’s leading health play charity. They endorse the power of play to help make the experience of illness better for children.
The charity are calling on the public to help them reach their target and help make Christmas magical for Children in hospital this year.
Mrs Stewart says she is proud of Lucy for helping others facing the same hardships as her: “I am so proud of Lucy and how she always aims to help others. It has been a privilege to help Starlight and Lucy has loved being able to help raise awareness for the charity.
“We have spent many a December in hospital, missing out on family time and Christmas celebrations so we understand how hard it can be to spend this time of year away from loved ones and friends in hospital.”
Laura Walsh, head of play at Starlight, said: “Lucy is an inspiration and we’re so grateful to her for fronting our Christmas campaign. She knows first-hand that play can help a child be prepared for frightening treatments, can distract them from painful procedures and can transform lengthy hospital stays.
“Please help us work with Lucy to bring the magical power of play to children in hospital this Christmas”.
Conversation