Harry was 5 1/2 when he died. Prior to his death he was a perfectly healthy little boy with a huge personality! He became unwell in March 2009 and after a visit to the Doctors we were told he had a virus. The next day he was admitted to hospital as he was struggling to breathe. After being given a nebuliser and oxygen his condition improved overnight and it was assumed he had an asthma attack.Harry had been previously diagnosed with very mild asthma, he had never suffered any major attacks or been admitted into hospital, or in fact needed any particular medical intervention other than the occasional use of a pump. As the hospital had assumed Harry had suffered an asthma attack, no further tests or x-rays were carried out and they were keen to send Harry home. However, a little later after the oxygen and nebulisers were removed, Harry’s condition rapidly deteriorated. He was put back onto the original treatment of oxygen and a nebuliser but he became very disorientated and agitated and collapsed in my arms, turning blue with his eyes rolling.
As the doctors came running Harry was taken from me and placed on a bed where he lay mumbling. With no improvement to his condition the decision was made to place him in a medically induced coma and transfer him to another hospital with a specialist paediatric unit, 50 miles away. He remained on life support while there and we were constantly assured by the medical staff that Harry would be fine and taken off life support once his lungs were strong enough as one of them had collapsed. Two days later after no apparent change in Harry’s condition we were given the news that a brain scan needed to be carried out. This came as a complete shock. The results of the tests showed that Harry had suffered massive brain stem damage and once he was taken off of life support he would not survive. Further legally required tests were later carried out which confirmed this diagnosis. Harry’s life support was switched off on 31st March 2009.We chose to donate some of Harry’s vital organs which went on to help three people enjoy a better quality of life, an 18 month old baby, a teenager and believe it or not an adult as well. Harry was such a caring giving person we believe this was the right decision to make.
Prior to Harry's death we had the perfect family; two gorgeous children, twins, Jessica and Harry. We couldn’t have asked for anything more and we had five and a half wonderful years until our lives were tragically turned upside down. We found it very difficult to get the bereavement help and support we needed as a family and in particular for Jessica, a five and half year old who had lost her twin brother, there wasn’t really anywhere locally that we could turn to. So: In October 2011, Harry’s legacy, “Harry’s Rainbow” was born. Harry’s Rainbow is committed to supporting bereaved children and their families in the Milton Keynes and surrounding areas. We know how difficult it can be to help and support your children through their pain, grief and loss at the same time as trying to deal with your own. Therefore we aim to support the children affected by the death of a very significant family member, such as a parent or sibling.
OUR CHARITABLE AIMS
We became a fully registered charity in September 2012. Our registration number is 1149011.
To relieve
children and young people and their families who have been bereaved through the loss of a significant loved one such as a parent or sibling.
By providing
Access to support and advice
Recreational and leisure activities to children and young people in order to improve their conditions of life and to reduce the isolation felt during bereavement, by facilitating contact with other children and young people.
By raising
Public awareness of the need for support and guidance and providing access to information about coping with bereavement.
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