Family donate £400 “treat” money to Children’s Ward Play Team

8 May 2018

The family of a five-year-old girl, who were given £400 to treat themselves after their daughter’s hospital treatment, have donated the money to the ward who looked after her.

Isabelle Chubb was admitted to the Children’s Ward at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford at the beginning of December last year after developing the symptoms of muscle weakness, most noticeably in her face.

Heartbreakingly for the family, the symptoms meant that Isabelle was unable to smile. She is now being treated for myasthenia gravis, a rare long-term condition that causes muscle weakness that comes and goes. It most commonly affects the muscles that control the eyes and eyelids, facial expressions, chewing, swallowing and speaking.

During her treatment, Isabelle’s head teacher at Ludlow Infant and Nursery School held a collection at the school’s Nativity play, raising £400, which was given to Isabelle’s family to treat themselves.

But they decided that rather than spend the money on themselves, they would donate it to the Play Team on the Children’s Ward, who helped Isabelle during her stay.

Isabelle’s mum Charlotte said: “Isabelle was admitted at the beginning of December. She was showing symptoms of muscle weakness, most noticeably in her face. One eye drooped and heartbreakingly for us, she couldn’t smile.

“She stayed for over a week with her entourage of me and her dad, Paul and her four-month-old sister Francesca, as well as two very helpful grandparents.

“She was supported by the Play Team during various procedures including MRI scans, attempted lumbar puncture, blood tests and several cannulas. They also brightened her days – and ours – by bringing lots of fun activities to her bed to make the time pass more quickly.

“During this worrying time, her head teacher held a collection after their Nativity play and £400 was given to us. It was an overwhelmingly generous gesture which we proudly donated to the Play Team for their invaluable work on the Children’s Ward.”

Paediatric Consultant Dr Srinivas Parepalli arranged for Isabelle to see a neurology consultant at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

Charlotte said: “She has since started receiving treatment for myasthenia gravis – now with a beautiful smile.”

Dawn Walder, from the Play Team, said: “This is an incredibly generous gesture by Charlotte’s family, and I would like to thank them very much for donating this money to us; it will help to make a real difference for other children and their families on the ward.

“Isabelle is such a lovely girl and we are delighted that she is receiving the right treatment, and that she has her gorgeous smile back.”