Sarah's Journey
Donation protected
Our daughter Sarah Barrett turns 1 on the 22nd April 2021. For those of you who know our story you'll be aware of how grateful we are to all the medical personnel who looked after myself and Sarah, and so we'd love for you to join us in helping raise funds for both the National Maternity Hospital Foundation and the Neonatal Unit in Letterkenny University Hospital. And if you don't know the story, or would like a reminder...
On the 15th February 2020 my waters broke at 24weeks gestation. We didn't know. I had been in and out of hospital with significant bleeds from week 14 and presumed it was another one. The amazing staff in Letterkenny looked after us that morning, and after a few frantic hours myself and bump were off to The National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street by ambulance. That was the first day of my 10 week stay in The National Maternity Hospital. Sarah fought hard for 9 weeks before being delivered by emergency section at 33 weeks on the 22nd April 2020. Due to covid restrictions and the rush to get her delivered Jason was waiting by the phone back home in Donegal for word of her arrival. Every member of staff in the hospital were amazing. They kept us long term patients going with stories from their own lives and even organised a few Sundays of board games and treats (at that time of the restrictions not even partners were allowed visit). Four days after Sarah was born she was transferred back to Letterkenny Hospital where the wonderful staff of the Neonatal unit looked after her for a further 23 days. Restrictions were still in place so I got one visit per day with Sarah for a limited time, while video calling Jason and the boys who had to stay outside waiting in the hospital carpark. Obviously it was hard leaving her every day, and we live an hour from the hospital. But we knew she was in very capable hands and we were treated with such kindness and compassion by everyone in Letterkenny. We know how lucky we are that we got a very happy ending to our story and will always be grateful to the two hospitals for that. So on Sarah's first birthday our family and friends will collectively be walking the 480km return journey that myself and Sarah took, and in the process hopefully raise some funds for the National Maternity Hospital Foundation and the Neonatal Unit in Letterkenny University Hospital.
Thanks for your support,
Jason & Claire
On the 15th February 2020 my waters broke at 24weeks gestation. We didn't know. I had been in and out of hospital with significant bleeds from week 14 and presumed it was another one. The amazing staff in Letterkenny looked after us that morning, and after a few frantic hours myself and bump were off to The National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street by ambulance. That was the first day of my 10 week stay in The National Maternity Hospital. Sarah fought hard for 9 weeks before being delivered by emergency section at 33 weeks on the 22nd April 2020. Due to covid restrictions and the rush to get her delivered Jason was waiting by the phone back home in Donegal for word of her arrival. Every member of staff in the hospital were amazing. They kept us long term patients going with stories from their own lives and even organised a few Sundays of board games and treats (at that time of the restrictions not even partners were allowed visit). Four days after Sarah was born she was transferred back to Letterkenny Hospital where the wonderful staff of the Neonatal unit looked after her for a further 23 days. Restrictions were still in place so I got one visit per day with Sarah for a limited time, while video calling Jason and the boys who had to stay outside waiting in the hospital carpark. Obviously it was hard leaving her every day, and we live an hour from the hospital. But we knew she was in very capable hands and we were treated with such kindness and compassion by everyone in Letterkenny. We know how lucky we are that we got a very happy ending to our story and will always be grateful to the two hospitals for that. So on Sarah's first birthday our family and friends will collectively be walking the 480km return journey that myself and Sarah took, and in the process hopefully raise some funds for the National Maternity Hospital Foundation and the Neonatal Unit in Letterkenny University Hospital.
Thanks for your support,
Jason & Claire
Organizer
Claire ODonnell
Organizer
County Donegal
