How to help a friend with a critically ill child

With February being heart disease awareness month, it’s making me reflect on my own journey and how I/we might help others. My son was born in the summer of 2019 and diagnosed postnatally with three congenital heart defects (they found a fourth at six months). With members of our immediate family either abroad or hospitalised themselves, we relied on the support of our wider friendship circle. We were inundated with messages saying “if you need anything let me know”. The problem is, in the eye of the storm, you don’t know what you do need and it’s even harder to ask for it. Below are a few things I found helpful:

1. Healthy drinks, food & snacks

Whilst for many it’s hard to even consider eating in times of stress, I knew I had to look after myself or I couldn’t be there for my baby. Smoothies, moju cold-pressed shots, bags of nuts and one day someone even dropped of a grocery bag of healthy lunch of salads / sandwiches. We were inundated with so much sugar which is of course all I actually wanted but not what my body needed. We were also gifted some food vouchers – they were brilliant as it meant we could order in food when we were at our lowest and not worry about cost.

2. Positive distractions

There can be a lot of time sat around and waiting. Positive mindset books, a story to read…