The Magic of Giving

By Jenna Bensoussan

5 December 2003

During my recent trip to London, I was fortunate enough to be able to visit this wonderful place and it was well worth the trip.

The sole purpose of Demelza House is to provide care for children with life-limiting conditions in a home away from home environment. Demelza House cares for children from nought up to 19 years of age. Most of these children do not reach adulthood.

Not only does Demelza House care for the children, but it also helps to support the child's family. It provides programs and special outings for the siblings of the sick children to help them cope with their brother or sister's ailment. They also have complete care for the child whilst there so the child's parents can have a break long enough to get a proper night's sleep, or catch a movie, or perhaps spend some quality time with their other children. Many people don't realise the time and effort that is needed to take care of a terminally ill child, but Demelza House does. They try to make both the child's and the family's experience as entertaining and accommodating as possible.

During my visit to Demelza House, I was given a tour by two of the staff members . The facility is very cozy and friendly, in fact, they were putting up all of the Christmas lights and Christmas trees while I was there! Once you go inside the guest building you immediately feel right at home. It is not like a hospice at all, it is rather like stepping into a bright and cheery child's dream room. The walls are painted in bright colors. The furniture is inviting and comfortable. The dining area is open so even if the visiting child is bound to his bed he can still be wheeled in to join the others for meals. There is a computer room for the older siblings, and a network setup for parents to share their thoughts and experiences online with other parents in similar situations.

There are two rooms that are simply fantastic. One is the music room. There are many instruments for the children to play, as well as one very special one that allows a child to play music just by blinking an eye. This is really amazing considering some of the children that visit Demelza House do not have the ability to move any of their limbs. With this instrument they can still participate, and it brings so much joy for them to be able to make music all on their own!

The other room that is simply amazing is used to help soothe and calm children and family members alike. It has various things from music, to different types of fun lighting effects, to a warm, soothing waterbed. This room is definitely tops on many a parent's list of relaxing things to do whilst at Demelza House!

Demelza House also has a chapel where family members can come to enjoy solitude. Upon a child's death, some families choose to hold their child's funeral services in the chapel at Demelza House. There is a special book located in the chapel that holds the names of all the children who have passed in the five years since the opening of Demelza House, in remembrance of each child. There is also another rather large scrap book located in the chapel in which families can post information about their child to keep the memory of their child alive through Demelza House. After the death of the child, the family is given the option to attend support groups provided for parents and siblings of children lost. The picture posted directly above is a picture of the chapel at Demelza House.

The playgrounds outside Demelza House are specially designed for children who have disabilities. Demelza House also maintains beautiful gardens located on the grounds to give the parents and family members a tranquil place to walk for relaxation.

The staff and the people at Demelza House are the nicest people you can imagine. It was an honor to meet the people that help to take care of these children. Of all the places like this I've ever been, I can truly say these people care for the children with all their hearts and they make it fun and exciting for all who visit! I am in total awe of their strength and dedication. Please help them to continue caring for these children by donating to the Demelza House Charity Fund Raiser.

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