Sarah, Mick and Val
When Sarah Smith gave birth to her third child Callum eight weeks prematurely she had no reason to worry. Despite the early delivery he was fit and well and she and husband Mick took him home to join their other children, Becky and Josh.
Just six weeks after the birth Sarah woke one morning to find Callum a frightening blue-grey colour and in distress: “We took him to hospital in our own car because the doctor said there was no time for an ambulance,” recalls Sarah. “It’s normally a 10 minute journey but it only took us four minutes. He died twice and was revived. In the first five days his lungs collapsed and he had to have blood transfusions. He had a meningitis- type viral infection and suffered brain damage. Three months later we were told he had cerebral palsy.”
Since my birth my family have been a means of support, practically and emotionally.
Their patience with me as I have grown up has helped me to realise the importance of tolerance, understanding and love. The family, in whatever shape, has been, and always will be the biggest influence on each individual’s ideas, beliefs and philosophies.”
Sarah and Mick have been tested to the limit since that early trauma and now cope with a son who can’t sit up, can’t walk, can’t talk and is visually impaired whilst trying to lead as normal a life as possible with their other children.
Last June new Home-Start volunteer Val Atwill was matched with the family. She recalls standing nervously at the end of their street: “Suddenly the door opened and Mick said – ‘Are you from Home- Start? Come in and have a cup of tea.’ It was a good start but I was nervous. I’d never handled a baby with so many disabilities but Sarah just put him in my arms with a ‘there you are then’. She was as nervous as me but it was fine – he’s a beautiful boy. We hit it off right from the start and working with the family has given me a real sense of achievement. I’ve been very lucky.”
Sarah and Mick consider they are the lucky ones: “Val is a Godsend,” says Sarah. “Callum used to scream and cry most of the day and night and I couldn’t put him down. Just to have Val’s support for a couple of hours is fantastic. She helps us all in so many ways”.
While Sarah and Mick believe their experiences have brought the family closer together, life doesn’t get easier. At Christmas Callum suffered a setback and now has to be tube-fed. He has also been diagnosed with asthma and epilepsy.
“They have been through some very difficult times,” says Val, “but they are a lovely family and I look forward to every visit.”
Photographer: Richard Bunce
