tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209682697518196277.post3548220808450199320..comments2023-10-10T17:52:15.450+01:00Comments on Vicki Cockerill - NICU MUM Blog : The barrier effectVicki Cockerill NICU MUMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10293645647582961314noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209682697518196277.post-28987290659670807452016-11-10T11:22:35.811+00:002016-11-10T11:22:35.811+00:00Although I'm not an NICU parent, I am the pare...Although I'm not an NICU parent, I am the parent of a child who spends a lot of time in Hospital. We live in Anglesey North Wales but Martha is treated at Great Ormond Street because Alder Hey (which is considerably closer to home) couldn't offer us the treatment we wanted for Martha. It was 100% our choice, it doesn't make it any easier. Train journeys back and forth for her appointments, having to bring her siblings to visit while she's admitted for surgery. Keeping myself and my husband fed and watered while we are down there, three meals a day...it's expensive. I'll be signing the petition.<br />#heart2heartHeart Mammihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02565813525592627412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1209682697518196277.post-1975875150124832632016-10-17T14:12:22.415+01:002016-10-17T14:12:22.415+01:00Vicki, this is such an important thing to raise aw...Vicki, this is such an important thing to raise awareness of and it is awful that there can be such a huge barrier in the way of NICU parents being able to be with their baby/babies. It makes me realise how incredibly lucky I was to be able to stay in Ronald McDonald accommodation just across the corridor from PICU - we had limited kitchen facilities, but at least we had them - and a substantial discount on food and parking (I think the parking was around £7 a week). I never knew that there were so many hospitals that can't even provide this to parents. To be separated from your baby and miles away from them must be the hardest thing in the world when they are in NICU - I found it hard enough the two nights I was in a separate hospital but I was less than 5 minutes away, not many miles. I have emailed my MP and hope that BLISS's campaign will help to increase the amount of accommodation and support available for NICU parents. Thank you for helping to raise awareness of it and for sharing this with #hearttoheartlinkyLouise (Little Hearts, Big Love)http://littleheartsbiglove.co.uknoreply@blogger.com