5 years on

My beautiful, gorgeous girl is now 8 yrs old. 5 years ago today she was diagnosed with Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After 2 years of intensive treatment  she remains in remission.

Our lives had already been changed forever with the diagnosis of Spinal Muscular atrophy only a few months before the leukaemia diagnosis, but now we are through the intense and traumatic period of critical illness we focus on allowing Anna to be the best she can both now and in the future. She is just like many other 8 yr old girls. She loves arts and crafts, singing dancing and (still) loves anything pink and sparkly. She has a full and busy life with school, after school activities, play dates and holidays. She expects to be able to do everything and that’s what we try and make happen. However we face challenges on a daily basis in terms of the level of care and support needed as well as ensuring accessibility in its broadest sense as we go about our lives. Anna still doesn’t sleep through the night, needing help to turn over or move her covers, which means I live in a state of constant exhaustion. She remains under the care of 6 consultants across 3 hospitals and 2 countries. She needs help with every single aspect of her life both day and night.

I’ve struggled to blog in the last year or two (mostly because I’m just so tired all the time)  but I know there are lots of you who want to know how Anna is doing. We still have a story to tell – not so much now about leukaemia but more about how we deal with disability and ensure accessibility in every aspect of Anna’s life. I’m going to do my very best to continue the blog to tell you that story.

It’s probably clear to even those who don’t know Anna personally that she is a strong willed, assertive and (at times) confident young girl. She places no restrictions on herself and expects the same from  others. I am very lucky to have her. x

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