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The NHS failed my late daughter Tina. It must not fail other disabled people The NHS failed my late daughter Tina. It must not fail other disabled people
(4 months later)
I feel the most joyous time in anyone's life is when their child is born. Then, for some parents, their joy turns to heartbreak and sorrow when they discover that their child has some kind of disability.I feel the most joyous time in anyone's life is when their child is born. Then, for some parents, their joy turns to heartbreak and sorrow when they discover that their child has some kind of disability.
They will not know, then, the path that they will tread with this child. It is a path of worry, torment and heartbreak. You fight constantly with services for the appropriate equipment, such as chairlifts, chairs, beds and hoists, and for the continuation of schooling after the age of 25. They will try to take these things away. At the school my daughter Tina attended, they did not succeed. There, mothers all fought hard to ensure that their children could continue to have an education. I had a fight to get Tina in the pilot school scheme because we lived out of the area. But we fought. And we won.They will not know, then, the path that they will tread with this child. It is a path of worry, torment and heartbreak. You fight constantly with services for the appropriate equipment, such as chairlifts, chairs, beds and hoists, and for the continuation of schooling after the age of 25. They will try to take these things away. At the school my daughter Tina attended, they did not succeed. There, mothers all fought hard to ensure that their children could continue to have an education. I had a fight to get Tina in the pilot school scheme because we lived out of the area. But we fought. And we won.
This is what a life is like for a parent with a child with a disability. You are fighting all the time, in addition to caring for your children. I had two children with disabilities. Now I only have one.This is what a life is like for a parent with a child with a disability. You are fighting all the time, in addition to caring for your children. I had two children with disabilities. Now I only have one.
Tina died in Basildon hospital in 2009 from aspiration pneumonia. Today, the NHS ombudsman says in a report that mistakes by an out-of-hours GP service and a hospital contributed to her death.Tina died in Basildon hospital in 2009 from aspiration pneumonia. Today, the NHS ombudsman says in a report that mistakes by an out-of-hours GP service and a hospital contributed to her death.
When Tina became ill and was examined by doctors, I could sense them thinking: "Is there any point in trying to save this child's life?" They see it not as a life, but as existence. They are wrong.When Tina became ill and was examined by doctors, I could sense them thinking: "Is there any point in trying to save this child's life?" They see it not as a life, but as existence. They are wrong.
This child is loved by all the people with whom he or she comes into contact; family and friends. This child is a human being. A human being who just happens to be born with a disability.This child is loved by all the people with whom he or she comes into contact; family and friends. This child is a human being. A human being who just happens to be born with a disability.
Sometimes, the parents of disabled children will despair. They will feel that they can't continue with the life that they are leading. But then you'll see your child, and the guilt is enormous. This child is completely dependent upon you, and you love them.Sometimes, the parents of disabled children will despair. They will feel that they can't continue with the life that they are leading. But then you'll see your child, and the guilt is enormous. This child is completely dependent upon you, and you love them.
It is an outrage when doctors and nurses choose not to use all their professional intelligence to attempt to make my child, or any child in a similar position, well.It is an outrage when doctors and nurses choose not to use all their professional intelligence to attempt to make my child, or any child in a similar position, well.
Helping such children should give medical staff warmth in their hearts, because the relief and the gratitude that parents feel in being able to take their child home will show all over their faces. If this is not achievable, then at least they will have done their best; parents in this situation recognise this too. But not in our case. Tina was let down by an out-of-hours doctor at the surgery and also the hospital.Helping such children should give medical staff warmth in their hearts, because the relief and the gratitude that parents feel in being able to take their child home will show all over their faces. If this is not achievable, then at least they will have done their best; parents in this situation recognise this too. But not in our case. Tina was let down by an out-of-hours doctor at the surgery and also the hospital.
Doctors should learn a lesson from these unnecessary deaths. They should treat every patient with the same care, compassion, dignity and respect. And they should treat the parents in the same way.Doctors should learn a lesson from these unnecessary deaths. They should treat every patient with the same care, compassion, dignity and respect. And they should treat the parents in the same way.
Please try to imagine how we must be feeling following the loss of our daughter, and support us in this fight with the government to put in place a safeguard for individuals with disabilities. This would ensure that, when they become ill and need treatment from medical staff, that their families can be assured that they will receive the best treatment possible for their condition.Please try to imagine how we must be feeling following the loss of our daughter, and support us in this fight with the government to put in place a safeguard for individuals with disabilities. This would ensure that, when they become ill and need treatment from medical staff, that their families can be assured that they will receive the best treatment possible for their condition.
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