Zoe’s family was supported by Rainbow Trust in 1990. After spending time at Rainbow House, Zoe’s mum, Aileen, and Aileen’s husband, Colin, wrote this letter to the staff.
“Rainbow Trust is the out-stretched hand that you want to grab hold of.
If only I had known about them two years ago when my then 10-year-old daughter was first diagnosed as having a brain tumour. The weeks in hospital followed by eight weeks of radiotherapy, with two older children, a baby of five months and the knowledge that another baby was on the way.
Zoe was fit and well for nearly two years after her tumour was successfully treated, then out of the blue it returned. We were told she had four to eight weeks to live. She lived for seven.
We nursed Zoe at home with tremendous help from our doctor and the nurses, but there was never any time on our own. The doorbell was always ringing, the phone going non-stop, meals to prepare and two very lively little boys to keep happy.
We agreed that we would like to go to Rainbow House in Surrey.
The moment we walked in it felt as though a weight had been lifted. We spent ten wonderful days there. Zoe was in bed a lot of the time, but we had time to be a family. It was just like being at home, one big happy family, but we didn’t have to worry about cooking meals, washing or answering the door. The boys always had someone to look after them but Mum and Dad were there if a cuddle was needed.
Zoe passed away a week after our return from Rainbow House. On the day of the funeral two Family Support Workers came early to collect the boys and looked after them at the service.
If you needed to talk, someone was always there, if you wanted to be quiet and alone, you could be. Whatever your views are, they are respected. Support, love and care is given in abundance. We all left a little bit of our hearts at Rainbow House, and also a tremendous amount of our love.
Our love to you all, always.”
Aileen and Colin
