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Issue 31
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| December 2022
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Light up a Life
and looked after us. We also went to the Hospice bereavement café six weeks after Karen passed away which was a comfort. If other patients and families are apprehensive about coming to the Hospice, I’d say, don’t be - just put your arms out to the Hospice, because you’ll get the biggest cuddle they can give you . The Ayrshire Hospice has got to continue to care for patients. It’s one of these places that I never ever thought much about other than it was a kind, caring place. But to have experienced it, I can only say that we were lucky to get Karen into the Hospice. If everyone’s relative is given the same care as Karen, they will have reached the end of their life in peace and comfort. That’s what the Hospice offers - peace and comfort . John and I went to the Light up a Life Christmas Concert a few weeks after Karen passed away - it was a great show. We’ve also attended the Winter Fair and have a leaf on
By Laura Somerville, Lead Practitioner - Patient and Family Care Team
As part of the appeal you can also dedicate a star on our virtual Christmas tree. Please scan the QR code to dedicate yours today. By dedicating a star or attending our concert, you are honouring the memory of someone special to you and ensuring that others in the future are able to do the same. Thank you.
Please spare a moment to read the story of Elisabeth McLaughlin, whose daughter, Karen, died in October 2019. Elisabeth’s story tells you about why the care the Ayrshire Hospice provided was so important and special to her.
Over the Christmas period the Hospice provides small gifts to patients’ children and grandchildren who visit their loved ones in the In-patient unit on Christmas day. We would welcome any donations for this, and for the ongoing care that we provide throughout the year both in the Hospice ward and in patients’ homes across Ayrshire. I would also be delighted if you would join us at our Light
Up a Life Christmas Concert on Sunday 27th November at 7.30pm. We will be joined by a variety of musical treats featuring choirs, groups and vocalists who will together offer a celebration of local voices and music. This will be a time of reflection and shared experience to recall all those who live on in our memories and thoughts. For tickets, please call our team at 01292 288488 or visit www.ayrshireHospice.org .
Karen competed in showjumping across Europe
she’d first lost her hair. The staff member helped with showing the different ways she could wear her head scarves. Karen attended the Hospice for complementary therapy sessions too and found they were helpful. By September 2019, Karen’s illness had developed and she was admitted to the Hospice In-Patient Unit. The Hospice made a big difference in Karen’s care. As soon as she arrived, it was like a new world for her. I could see her body,
and giving everybody their orders…I thought, “We’re back to Karen!” Karen died on 5th October 2019. John and I were lucky to be with her at the end, and as we sat, holding her hands, we watched all the pain that she had been going through slowly pass away and the glow of happiness filled her face and her beautiful smile returned. We loved her so much and she will live forever in our hearts and family memories. That evening, the cooks made us a lovely dinner
Elisabeth's story
face and mannerisms completely change. When she first went in, the doctor knelt down beside her, held her hand and said “You’re not here to die, Karen, you’re here to live.” That in itself calmed her. I could see it on her face. I could see that she was in the right place. By the end of her first night, she was comfortable, settling in
My beautiful daughter Karen was born on 2nd November 1968. She was born with Albinism, which caused her to be visually impaired, though her condition never held her back. Karen could have pursued many careers, as she was talented in the arts and music, but her love for horses had already planned her direction. She very quickly established her name in the professional showjumping circuit
where she competed, supported international showjumpers, and even got involved in carriage driving. Her adventures took her all across Europe. My husband John and I visited her many times. In 2010, Karen was diagnosed with ovarian cancer - the start of a ten-year journey living with her illness. Her first experience of the Hospice was when she visited their hairdresser after
the Celebration Tree in memory of Karen. We’ll never be able to repay the Hospice and that’s why we’re supporting the Light up a Life appeal and hope you’ll join us to help this wonderful, vital local charity.
Karen had a love for horses
Elisabeth & John
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