1 in 10. That’s the survival rate for an out of hospital cardiac arrest. Well figures place it around 8% to be exact. Given the odds Isla’s overcome so far in her little life that doesn’t actually sound too bad. Although we had the defibrillator we weren’t quick enough with it - you can’t shock … Continue reading Isla 2.0 →

It’s a turbulent, stressful time living in a hospital. It’s even worse when that hospital is on the other side of the country and everyone talks funny (yes you Southern folk - you sound funny, even compared to Scousers!) It’s hard to be completely comfortable when everyone sounds like Danny Dyer. As humans we are … Continue reading I gotta to have faith, faith, faith →

If you by some chance haven’t seen, February is heart month. I don’t know if it’s because it has Valentine’s Day in it, (less said about that Hallmark extortionate day the better) but it is. Everything can have at least a day now. Did you all celebrate ‘National Measure Your Feet Day’ on January 23rd? … Continue reading February: Heart Month? →

I’ve been a bit rubbish at posting recently so this is just a short one. I have about 3 partially written blogs to get on with but I’m very aware that all my recent posts have been a bit depressing so it's taking time to get the balance right. Kind of like... The ecg from … Continue reading What lies beneath… →

These last few weeks have been a very stark reminder (as if I needed one) about how fragile Isla’s life actually is. I think we’d entered a false sense of security because she’d been doing well for so long. The fact she can run around and laugh while inside her heart is doing all kinds … Continue reading Little Star →

Disclaimer: Isla is fine!!! This is a flashback! So this isn’t exactly what I’d planned to write about or been working on. I was going through my notes on my phone and stumbled upon a poem I wrote exactly 3 years ago today... so I thought I’d share it. Writing it at the time made … Continue reading My Shame →

I have recent been chatting with one of our ICU neighbours from Alder Hey who are happily (and nervously) expecting a baby in 2019. Huge congratulations and happy days! Like us they didn’t have the ‘normal’ journey into parenthood. When talking about it, we came across some common feelings... it would be like being a … Continue reading A good dad or a good doctor? →

Many of you will have seen me sharing pictures and stories of some of our Alder Hey stars leading up to the Stars and Stripes Ball to raise money for Healing Little Hearts. We support Healing Little Hearts in recognition of how lucky we are to have the NHS, free healthcare and the expertise of … Continue reading Why Healing Little Hearts? →

If you read my first post about Italy you’ll know what I’m talking about here. This whole journey of being a parent; you think you’re on your way to Italy. You’re all prepared for it: * learned the language - vafanapoli * got the t-shirt * bought a flat above a pizzeria and got your … Continue reading Dutch citizenship – Brexit pending →

What does it mean to be disabled? To not be-able? Able to what? It’s such a broad and ugly term. I’d guarantee that any of the disabled tennis players at this summer’s Wimbledon are able to beat me at tennis. And I’d guarantee that every athlete at the Paralympic Games is able to beat me … Continue reading Blue Badged Girl ♿️ →