Take a moment for the children who always have to cocoon

AS we look forward to today’s first easing of Covid-related restrictions, it is important to note that this day also marks the start of LauraLynn’s Children’s Hospice Week (until May 24).

This year, in particular, I am inviting the people of Ireland to join with me on this special week to pay tribute to the parents and families of the 3,840 children living with a life-limiting condition.

In some ways, these parents have been better equipped to deal with the recent realities of infection control, cocooning and social distancing.

They are all too familiar with having to protect their child from catching a virus that could have catastrophic consequences.

Everyday excursions – like meeting friends, trips to the park or even the shops – can present insurmountable challenges.

However, this pandemic has caused huge anxiety and even greater isolation for them.

Non-essential contacts, such as school, respite and care supports, trips outside and working outside the home, were quickly stopped.

Fear of ‘what will happen if I get infected or exhausted and can’t care for my child?’ is prevalent.

Now, more than ever, these vulnerable and marginalised families need our collective support and recognition. They need to know they are not alone; that they have our support.

LauraLynn is Ireland’s only children’s hospice and provides tailored hospice and palliative care to children with life-limiting conditions and their families from across the island of Ireland.

Our community-based care is an essential element of the ongoing care of these seriously ill children. It’s an extension of their hospital care… a ‘lifeline’.

LauraLynn is committed to being there for our 220 families throughout this crisis. We have launched the first Virtual Hospice for Children in Ireland, bringing our specialist care into the family home virtually when we can’t be there in person.

We are stepping up and stepping in during times of crisis and at end-of-life, providing expert care in our hospice facility.

‘Moments that Matter’ is the theme for this year’s Children’s Hospice Week, and it builds on LauraLynn’s maxim of ‘making the most of short and precious lives’. Will you help me, and LauraLynn, make #MomentsThatMatter for families? Please, make this moment matter by visiting www.lauralynn. ie to find out more. NIALL McHUGH, Chairman LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, Co. Dublin.

Eyes on the skies

JUST when I thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse, I received an email this morning telling me that a comet, five times the size of Jupiter, is heading in our direction, but that I should not worry because it could change direction and miss us. On the other hand, if the comet did hit our planet it could eliminate a lot of our current problems such as, Covid-19, Brexit, global warming, climate change, lack of a government, etc, in one fell swoop.

But just in case the comet misses us, please wash your hands. MARTIN HENEGHAN,

Dublin 3.

Call this normal, people?

I DON’T watch a lot of television, but recently, in passing, I heard a presenter on an Irish channel enthusiastically urging: ‘Let’s embrace our new normal!’

No. I absolutely refuse to accept the current situation as the ‘new normal’ and I will certainly not ‘embrace’ it.

The sinister concepts behind slogans such as ‘The New Normal’ or ‘Life Will Never Be The Same Again’ will only become reality if people actually start buying into such statements. PETER KEATING,

Co. Cork.