
Originally Posted by
Monamie
My nephew Adam was diagnosed with cancer when he was very young. His parents of course were distraught and like any young couple had no money to spare. A lot of time was needed to be spent in Wellington for treatment-that involved a lot of travel and accommodation costs.
RMH offered a place where they could stay and petrol vouchers to help transport Adam to his chemo sessions. They found that staying with other parents in a similar situation gave them the endless support, comfort and the will to help Adam fight this cruel disease.
I myself feel I did not do enough to help them.....I have many excuses. Although I readily offered my help I was scared and not sure what was needed. We were not a particularly close knit family-the saying was `I’ve raised my kids; you can raise yours’ (from the Grandparents). I was not allowed to interfere so could only offer an ear if needed-I should have done more for them.
After a gallant fight, Adam passed away at age 4.
I chose a mighty Golden Elm to plant for him in the garden. The kids and I picked out a big Elm from the nursery and planted it so it would have pride and place of the garden. When spring came and the neighbours Elms had started to bud-Adams tree was bare. A month later when the neighbour’s trees were in full leaf-Adams tree was still bare. I figured it was perhaps a `dud` tree and nursery confirmed it must be dead. I left the tree there as a reminder and felt that I was being punished for being such a coward by doing something `after` rather than when it was needed before his passing.
That summer while we were in town I asked the kids if they wanted to go up and see Adams grave-he had been gone for awhile I still had not gone up to see him. We went to see him and had a chat. The kid left some things for him, a precious `Pokemon card` and flowers. I told him I loved him and hoped things were ok now he was pain free. A few weeks later my son Sam yelled from the garden “Mum, come and see Adams tree”. You guessed it........it was covered in leaves.......
Fundraising for the RMH is the least I can do, for Adam and the huge number of people who go through the devastation of having a critically sick child.
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