Anais’ story – supported by Shooting Star Children’s Hospices

Nine-year-old Anais has been supported by Shooting Star Children’s Hospices since she was two months old. Anais comes to the hospice for respite stays, giving her a chance to play and enjoy all the things she likes to do, in a safe and fun environment.

Anais has Bulbar Palsy and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, conditions which means she requires specialist care and equipment to look after her. She has a tracheostomy to help her breathing and is regularly ventilated with oxygen for parts of the day and overnight. She also has a gastrostomy, which is a device in her tummy that’s used to feed her.

Despite Anais’ complex conditions, she doesn’t let that stop her from having lots of fun with everyone she meets and loves to come to the hospice. One of her favourite things to do is go swimming in the hydrotherapy pool and has even brought her much-loved toy dog Poppy to join her (on a float!). Public pools are often a difficult environment when you have a child with complex conditions, so our hydrotherapy pool provides a safe space with the hospice’s dedicated care team to have some fun and enjoy the benefits of being in the water.

The care team also always ensure to create different sensory activities to be enjoyed when supported children stay, and for Anais, they make sure they involve Peppa Pig, knowing how much she loves her.

You are helping to provide care to children with complex conditions, like Anais’, creating special memories to be treasured.