Stories behind the Snowflakes

19 December 2011

Tashie might hear Santa coming this year and Daniel can jump out of bed on Christmas morning thanks to The Children’s Hospital

Just like a real snowflake and every young patient who visits the hospital, each personalised snowflake decorating The Children’s Hospital, Sheffield this year is unique.

“I can hear. Thank you, Tash,” reads one of our colourful snowflakes displayed inside the hospital. Tashie Wyton, age eight, recently underwent an operation to have her tonsils and adenoids removed and grommets inserted into her ears.

Tashie’s mum Steph Watt, from Broomhall, said: “We were lying in bed a few days after the operation and Tashie suddenly said ‘What’s that noise?’ I realised it was the birds singing outside and she hadn’t been able to hear them before!

“I hadn’t realised just how many of the small things she had missed out on that add to the quality of life, like being able to smell lunch.

“Everybody at The Children’s Hospital was fantastic and we are truly grateful. It must have been very routine to them, but they recognised that it was still scary for us and looked after us really well.

“Tashie has always been a happy child but I hadn’t noticed she had stopped smiling as much until she started again after the operation.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Children’s Hospital treats children from all across the region and also from further afield. Daniel Gotts, 15, and brother Ryan, 13, have purchased their charity snowflake all the way from Norfolk.

Daniel was born with Achondroplasia and Hydrocephalus. He was referred to The Children’s Hospital in Sheffield when he was only a few months old and has travelled here for appointments ever since.

Mum Susan says “Daniel underwent limb correction and limb lengthening two years ago and he now has very straight legs. 

“After the correction, Daniel came back into hospital and was put in plaster cast - red of course for Manchester United. Once the plaster was removed Daniel had to learn to walk again.

“We are only too happy to support The Children's Hospital Charity. My Christmas wish is that society would get a grip on shorter people like Daniel - especially at this time of year.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another inspiring snowflake simply reads: ‘Thank you for my cure in 1943’.

Snowflakes are still available for purchase, each to be displayed around the hospital with a personalised message, helping make the hospital festive for all the children visiting this year.

If you’d like your own snowflake, please call the charity office on 0114 271 7203 or email charity@sch.nhs.uk