When Thomas was younger, he was frequently in and out of hospital with recurring chest infections and serious complications related to his condition.
Today, Thomas is thriving at a specialist school, something his family never imagined would be possible.
Bethany said:
"Martin House supported us through those early years, and now we can actually picture a future for Thomas. He's at a specialist school and absolutely thriving, which is amazing to see."
Despite Thomas doing well, the family still rely heavily on Martin House.
Thomas has regular planned stays at the hospice, giving Bethany and Jack valuable time to rest, spend time with their other children, Arthur and Catherine, and enjoy something many parents take for granted – a full night's sleep.
Jack said:
"Thomas wakes constantly and we still don't fully understand why. That level of exhaustion is incredibly difficult, especially as we don't have overnight support elsewhere. The only time we ever get a full night's sleep is when Thomas is staying at Martin House."
"We know he's safe, we trust the team completely and he absolutely loves being there. He thrives on the attention, activities and social interaction."
Martin House is a lifeline and a lifesaver – we just could not manage without its support.
But Martin House provides far more than respite care.
When Thomas becomes unwell, Bethany and Jack know they can access expert support and advice from clinicians who understand his complex needs.
Bethany said:
"We consult Martin House all the time. If something is wrong with Thomas, they're our first point of contact for advice and reassurance. You can speak to them properly, feel listened to and know they genuinely understand."
"We don't know exactly what lies ahead, but knowing Martin House will continue to support us through every stage is incredibly reassuring. It gives us comfort knowing we'll always have somewhere to turn to for advice, understanding and support."
The hospice's new facilities are also helping make life easier for families like Thomas's. Larger family rooms mean everyone can stay together more comfortably, while features such as piped oxygen help reduce some of the practical challenges of managing complex medical needs during a stay.
Martin House was already amazing before the redevelopment, but the new facilities are incredible. Having the larger family room means we can all stay together comfortably, which makes such a difference.
Help families like Thomas's
Your donation helps provide expert care, respite stays, symptom management and emotional support for children with life-shortening conditions and their families, whenever they need us most.