14 year old Logan and his family have been supported by Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) since he was a baby.
When mum Liz was pregnant with Logan, her first child, she enjoyed a normal pregnancy. It wasn't until Logan was born and started having seizures it was discovered that he had suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage, a catastrophic bleed in his brain, while in the womb.
“We didn’t know anything was wrong and we had no idea Logan would have any problems. When he was born he was having seizures and spent 3 weeks in the neonatal unit where he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy.”
When Liz and his dad Chad took Logan home, he struggled to feed and it was later discovered he had no suck or swallow reflex and a feeding tube was fitted. He also has a tracheostomy and is registered blind.
Logan, who needs round the clock care, cannot move independently and uses a wheelchair to get around.
“Logan is fully dependent on other people in all aspects of his life. He needs 24 hour waking care and someone always has to be with him,” said Liz.
Over the years Logan has been admitted to hospital several times, each time defying the odds.
“Last winter he was in hospital for 3 months with Septicaemia and a respiratory bug.”
While in hospital he was diagnosed with Pancreatitis and a hole in his bowel.
“They didn’t think he would pull through,” said Liz, a former teacher.
“But he is so stubborn he had different ideas. He doesn’t play by anyone’s rule book and has this amazing ability to bounce back.”
Logan was first referred to CHSW’s Charlton Farm when he was a baby.
Children’s Hospice South West and the staff at Charlton Farm have been on this entire journey with us.
“The team has always been there to support us in making decisions, planning Logan’s care and supporting us in his symptom management. Knowing they are always there for us is so important.”
Logan’s stays at Charlton Farm enables Liz to spend time with her other two children Jude, 10 and Tabitha, 8.
“It gives me that time to focus on Jude and Tabitha,” said Liz, 42. “It means we can go out and do the things we struggle to involve Logan with, such as trips to the theatre and days out.
Knowing that Logan is so well cared for at Charlton Farm allows me to concentrate on giving his siblings that one to one time.