Well since we started our Isabella’s campaign to raise awareness of CHD
and promote that all women in Ireland should be entitled to the 20 week
screening, we’ve received continual support from many families who have
travelled a similar path as myself and Kevin, I feel through our own pain like
many others are going through, it helps to speak to those who know and feel the
same heartbreak.
Reading peoples stories, some with happy endings and others with sad, it
really has given me even more drive to push this as much as we can. I still
remember writing all our memories of Isabella to try and keep her alive in us,
and even though she was only here on earth for a short time she incredibly left
her mark.
With the help of the media making our voices heard the HSE are now listening.
Since we gained a response from the Minister for Health Simon Harris I received
an email from Kilian McGrane, who is the newly appointed ‘National Programme
Director for Women and Infants’ Health and will be rolling out the programme to
introduce the 20 week anomaly scan to all expectant mothers nationwide . Minister
Simon Harris forwarded my email to Mr McGrane and asked for him to meet with me
regarding our campaign for anomaly scanning.
In recent weeks Mr McGrane has contacted me and welcomed an opportunity
to meet with me to discuss the important issues raised in my email to the
Minister.
I will be meeting with Mr McGrane at Tralee University Hospital on
Wednesday 22nd February, he will also be joined with the recently appointed
clinician, Dr Peter McKenna, who is the Clinical Lead for the Programme.
In the meeting I will be giving an insight from a parents perspective
from our own personal journey and what we feel needs to be addressed, from the
much needed scan to also highlighting
the lack of after care service to families whose baby passes away, specifically
for parents and the siblings.
If you have had a similar experience or know someone
who has and would like to raise any questions please feel free to contact me prior
to my meeting and I will ensure your voice is heard.
I will keep you all updated, and I know Isabella
will be with me.
Email: jazminesands@gmail.com
Mother to an angel
