Ikhlaq is regularly in and out of hospital due to his own health problems. He is partially blind, meaning he is unable to care for Aqsa. Ayesha is a full-time carer for both Aqsa and Ikhlaq.
Ayesha gets little respite and some nights she doesn't get to sleep. She also has less time to give to Alisha and Maria who struggled with the isolation this brought and the lack of opportunity to be a regular child.
Transport was one of the many worries for the family. Ayesha cannot drive. This means the family relies on public transport and the expensive coach and train journeys to get from their home to Birmingham became a financial struggle, especially after Ayesha had to stop working to care full-time for Aqsa. On some occasions the family would receive emergency calls from the hospital and Ikhlaq would have to immediately catch the first available coach to Birmingham, spending the two-hour journey in a state of panic, not knowing how he would find his baby daughter.
Aqsa was transferred back to Bristol Hospital where she spent over 12 months. Despite being moved closer to home, life remains hard for the family.
In March 2024, the family was referred to Rainbow Trust by Bristol Hospital. Family Support Worker Wendy began providing tailored support, helping the family with the many challenges they are facing.