FOR REUBEN
A Cambuslang couple have launched a charity in memory of the child they lost a year ago.
Identical twins Reuben and Arloe Fenton were delivered seven weeks early on May 8 last year after a high-risk pregnancy. Tragically, little Reuben died a day later but his fight for survival saved the life of his identical twin – something his parents will never forget.
Although doctors suspected Reuben suffered from serious renal problems early in the pregnancy, he battled to 33 weeks, resulting in his brother being safely delivered. Reuben survived for a day, allowing his mum and dad, Paul, 33, to say farewell.
Now the Fentons have launched a charity fund in Reuben’s name to help support other families facing the tragedy of losing a baby.
Mum Kathryn, 34, from Cambuslang said: “Reuben was in our arms for one day but his legacy will last a lifetime.
“If Reuben’s story helps people to know that while losing a child is horrific, life can go on, then I want to tell it.
“He protected his brother to the very last point and we will never be able to repay him for that, so this is something we want to do in his name.”
From the first scan, the couple, who also have a three-year-old son Theo, knew there were high risks with their twins.
Kathryn said: “At 18 weeks, our consultant detected a difference between the boys’ renal make-up.”
The renal organs allow for the increase of fluid in pregnancy and are vital for lung development.
The mum added: “We were told Reuben may not survive the pregnancy or if he did, he may not take his first breath or live longer than a few minutes.
“Week to week we lived on a rollercoaster of emotions, from being told that the risks to both babies were so great that we should consider an outcome where we may not take our twins home, to the news that both babies are well and doing exactly as they should.
“The highs and lows continued knowing that if one baby was struggling it put the other baby in danger.
“All we could be sure of was that we wouldn’t know anything for certain until our boys arrived.”
At 33 weeks, she was rushed to theatre at Glasgow’s Princess Royal Maternity hospital to delivery by c-section.
She said: “Their cries were the sweetest sound, the first hurdle, complete.”
Kathryn was separated from her babies to be taken to recovery following the caesarian but she was given two iPads, funded by the hospital’s baby fund, now part of Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, so she could watch the twins in their incubators.
She recalled: “It was apparent the next day that Reuben’s renal complications, added to his prematurity, was too much for him to fight.
“I was taken up to the intensive care ward just before 6am the next morning and when I put my hand in the incubator Reuben opened his eyes for the first time.
As Reuben’s condition deteriorated, the family spent his last moments together.
Kathryn added: “We took the wires off Reuben and put him next to his brother in the crib and they spent some time together.
“We will forever be grateful for the time Reuben fought to give us, for allowing his brother to be born safely. We held him in our arms, breathed in his breath, his golden skin glistened in the sunshine as he fell asleep knowing nothing but unconditional love.”
In the weeks that followed, Arloe was moved from high dependency to special care as he grew stronger.
He will turn one next month – a bittersweet time for the family.
Kathryn said: “It’s the closest example I can think of to heaven and hell.” The couple try to focus on the positive. Kathryn added: “Arloe is doing amazing. “He is such a happy boy. “He is an outpatient of the renal team at Glasgow Children’s Hospital as a precaution and is doing great.”
The couple named their fund Always Looking Up and have raised almost £4000 for Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity.
“The money raised in Reuben’s name will also support the renal department,” Kathryn said.
“We will support their need for research and development in both equipment and treatments for children and babies like Reuben affected by kidney conditions.”
They will be joined by dozens of relatives and friends when they take on the Kiltwalk on Sunday, April 29.
To support Reuben’s fund, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ alwayslookingup Two men, both aged 19, and a 20-year-old woman have been arrested and charged for allegedly being in possession of controlled drugs, believed to be amphetamine, cocaine, and cannabis with an estimated street value of £11,000.
The arrests were made during a pre-planned operation across Greater Glasgow and Lanarkshire Friday, April 13.
A quantity of cash was also seized.
Those arrested will now be subject of reports to the Procurator Fiscal.