THE MOST POIGNANT SELF-ISOLATION OF ALL
‘It is a risk we simply weren’t willing to take’
THIS heartbreaking picture showing a cancer-stricken four-year-old kissing her father through a glass window has been shared online to raise awareness of the importance of self isolation.
Little Mila Sneddon is undergoing intensive chemotherapy after being diagnosed with leukaemia in November last year.
Parents Lynda and Scott, from Falkirk, Stirlingshire, decided the best way to keep their daughter safe from infection was for her to live in isolation with her mother, while her father and sister lived elsewhere.
Mrs Sneddon, 36, said: ‘Initially we felt bad to separate the family and did consider perhaps we were being too cautious but there are lots of families out there who have done the same to protect their loved ones. I hope the picture makes people realise the importance of self-distancing and stop ignoring the guidelines.
‘It is difficult for us all but the longer people go out, the longer we will have to stay indoors and
Mila is missing her daddy and sister. She feels anxious at bedtime knowing her dad and sister are not home but his visits at the window make her happy. Despite everything that is going on, she remains a happy and funny little girl who jokes with her dad when he comes.
‘She asks “Are you here to drop off the supplies?” They put their arms outstretched for an “air hug” and blow kisses through the window.’
The photograph was taken on March 20 and has been liked by more than 44,000 people and shared 37,000 times.
Mrs Sneddon said her 50-year-old husband comes into contact with other people through his job as an engineer and when he goes to the supermarket for their food, and ‘it is a risk we simply were not willing to take’.
‘We talked about isolating together as a family but we have bills to pay and my daughter Jodi, 16, is still in and out of school to submit her coursework,’ she added. ‘They have both moved in with my parents for the foreseeable – but he
still visits and communicates through the window, over FaceTime and the phone.
‘When he first came, Mila was confused and asked “why can’t Daddy come in?” which upset us both.
‘But after explaining we need to keep her healthy and protect her from germs that he could bring home, she understands.’
Recalling Mila’s shock diagnosis, Mrs Sneddon said: ‘She was just tired and slept a lot after nursery so we assumed she was anaemic and brought her to the doctors.
‘It all happened so fast and we were quickly absorbed into a new world full of surreal experiences and it has been autopilot ever since. We are still trying to come to terms with it all and coronavirus has made it even more challenging.’
Last week, ITV weatherman Chris Page tweeted a picture taken by a friend who was visiting family in Norfolk with Florence, aged three, and one year-old Edith. The children’s great-grandparents, who are self-isolating, are seen in the photo smiling at the youngsters and holding their hands up to the glass.
Mr Page wrote: ‘This the most adorable thing I’ve seen so far today... remember. self-isolation doesn’t have to be lonely if managed correctly.’