Felicity

When Felicity was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of three, her parents were told there were no options other than palliative care.

“Of course, our whole world came from beneath us at that point,” said mum Tori describing the moment she and her husband, Rhys, were given the devastating news. “We were told that Felicity could have palliative radiotherapy and we would have nine to 12 months with her.”

The family were in hospital when they were told about Rainbows.

Tori, who is a nurse, said: “I have worked with hospices, and I know they are incredible places and I knew we would need their support. We visited Rainbows and the first thing I thought when I walked in was, it’s not clinical; it’s home. We were welcomed by every single member of the team, and I could see us being here. It met all Felicity’s needs and there was so much for her older sister, Bethany.

“When Rhys and I had the chat about end of life, we decided that we would like her to be at Rainbows,” said Tori. “The staff loved both of our girls, and we knew there would be lots to distract Bethany and my parents could also stay, which was great.”

Felicity, who was “independent and wilful” would brighten the darkest days with her love of sparkles, pink and purple. A huge fan of Moana and Sleeping Beauty, Felicity loved to dazzle in her endless princess dresses. But caring for her was round the clock and Tori was exhausted.

“In August last year, just before Felicity died we went to Rainbows for symptom management and I needed sleep. We arrived at 6pm and I had a huge box of drugs which was taken off me by the clinical team. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off me. I knew then I could be a mum again, not a nurse.

“Everyone was amazing. They had even saved food for us ahead of our arrival and it is the little things like that, make all the difference.

“Rainbows even threw me a birthday party three days early as we didn’t think Felicity would make it to the actual day as she was deteriorating. It was so lovely. Felicity met Bow Bear and the staff decorated cupcakes with Bethany to give to me. It felt amazing and something I will never forget.

“On the morning she died, Bethany came in to see her and gave her a kiss and said good morning. That was the last time she saw her sister. It was very beautiful and wasn’t distressing.

“Rhys held her and cuddled her and put her in my arms while he sat holding her hand. We listened to a playlist of her favourite songs made by the Rainbows Music Therapist and the staff had the perfect balance of checking on us and giving us our own space. Rainbows just made everything feel so peaceful.

“A few hours later she took her last breath in my arms with a smile on her face as if to say, I am okay now mummy.”

Felicity moved to the bereavement suite at Rainbows, which Tori and Rhys decorated with lights and teddies and Felicity could lay with her favourite toy, Mr Tumble, clutched in her arms.

“Since Felicity has died, we have been to coffee mornings and sibling days and when I come to the hospice to visit the memorial garden, everyone remembers us. It is a safe haven. It is a second home, and I know I am always welcome. There are no words to describe what an impact Rainbows has on families, especially our family.

“I couldn’t fail my child and Rainbows supported that. They knew her, they knew her favourite clothes, her favourite music. Over 200 people came to her funeral. She was just four-years-old and made such an impact. She was an incredible girl.

“I hope people can support Rainbows and families like ours, it means so much.”

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