I AM FIVE WEEKS HERE IN BUDIMEX HOSPITAL AND EACH DAY BRINGS DIFFERENT EVENTS.
THE CHILDREN WHO USE THE PLAY ROOM ARE ABLE TO ENJOY A FEW HOURS AWAY FROM THE WARD. MOST OF THESE ARE IN FOR TREATMENT OR OPERATIONS. SOME ARRIVE INTO THE PLAYROOM HOLDING TUMMIES OR FEELING TENSE BUT, AFTER A SHORT TIME THEY BEGIN TO RELAX AND ENJOY PUZZLES, LEGO, BUILDING A TRAIN TRACK, COLOURING ETC. NO MATTER THE AGE WE FIND SOMETHING TO HELP RELAX AND BRING A SMILE FOR A WHILE.
ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8 th WE HAD A VERY SPECIAL DAY FOR FIVE
CHILDREN, THREE CAME FROM THE REHAB (CHILDREN WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES) TWO FROM WARD 5 (ONCOLOGY).
AT 10 AM TRAIAN ARRIVED WITH A DRIVER AND MINI-COACH (DONATED FOR THE DAY BY U.P.C.). WE GOT ALL THE CHILDREN INTO THE BUS AMID GREAT EXCITEMENT OF GOING IN A “MACHINA” (A CAR). ONE MUM, A NURSE AND I STAYED WITH THE CHILDREN.
WE WERE ALL HEADING FOR THE ZOO! ON ARRIVAL THERE THE CHILDREN WERE VERY EXCITED. THEY SAW LIONS, TIGERS, ELEPHANTS, MONKEYS, PARROTS, DONKEYS AND MANY OTHER ANIMALS. IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HEAR ONE LITTLE BOY'S LAUGHTER, HE IS USUALLY VERY QUIET. HE WANTED TO SEE WHERE THE ELEPHANTS WERE.
KEEKIE (A LITTLE GIRL) AND ADRIAN IN WHEELCHAIRS DECIDED THEY WANTED TO WALK AND BOTH ENJOYED THE SHORT TIME ON THEIR FEET. THEY ALSO ENJOYED THE SWINGS, SLIDES AND SEE-SAW IN THE PARK. FLORIN, WITH HIS MUM HAD A WONDERFUL TIME AND FLORENTINA BOTH FROM ONCOLOGY WARD, ENJOYED THEIR DAY OUT.
AFTER A LOVELY DINNER WE ARRIVED BACK AT THE HOSPITAL ABOUT 2:30PM WITH A TIRED BUT HAPPY GROUP OF CHILDREN. ALL WENT FOR A REST ON RETURN TO THEIR WARD AND I HOPE HAD HAPPY DREAMS OF THEIR DAY.
SISTER MARIA DOHERTY