Tag Archives: hospitals

Africa through my sister’s eyes

23 Saturday Mar 2013

Posted by in Charity, Family

≈ 9 Comments

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My little sister is a doctor. It still feels strange writing that because, to me, she will always be that lovable, annoying, mischievous little imp that used to follow me around making kissing noises when she saw me talking to boys.

Lizzy

My funny little sister, aged 2.

Now she is a fully qualified, practising doctor, with two years (hellish) junior doctor experience under her belt.

She is the person running through hospital corridors, administering drips, doing blood tests, resuscitating dying patients, diagnosing illness. While my work consists of entertaining via the written word and speech, hers is all about saving lives. In short, my sister has a proper job. Continue reading »

The answer to all waiting room dilemmas

05 Thursday Jul 2012

Posted by in Play

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It’s 4.30pm on a hot and sticky afternoon in an English hospital.

The waiting room is airless. People mill around aimlessly, waiting for their overdue appointments to see the consultant.

Fraught mothers attempt to entertain their grumpy children, desperate not to be the ones with “that” child. I am one of these mothers. My child does not want to be here. Shouts of “JUICE!” and “WO AWAY!” fill the air.

But then she spies some shoes. Continue reading »

The one where my non-toddling toddler toddles

15 Sunday Apr 2012

Posted by in Walking

≈ 52 Comments

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This time last week our house was not such a happy place.

I’d been told my nearly 22 month old daughter had an “issue” with the joints from her hips downwards and she was, to put it simply, too flexible to walk.

We sat there, our family of three, on hard plastic chairs next to a picture of everyone’s favourite donkey Eeyore, and tried to decipher the medical jargon tumbling into our confused brains.

Your. Child. Has. A. Problem.

Your. Child. Needs. Treatment. Continue reading »