 Fraser and I live on the North West coast of Scotland, approximately 60 miles from Inverness. We both love the outdoors, particularly hill walking, climbing and sea kayaking. We enjoyed all of these to the full until on the 5th April 1997 our world was shattered when we lost our only daughter Joanne who was 24 years old. She died in her sleep and no cause of death could be found. How could a happy, healthy young girl be taken from us so suddenly? It was impossible to take in or even try to understand. Joanne was our whole world with so much to live for and so much to give.
In July 1995 she had graduated with honours from the Northern College of Aberdeen as a Gaelic Medium Primary School teacher. She then took up her first post teaching classes 3 and 4 at Bayble School on the Island of Lewis in the Western Isles. Joanne created a wonderful bond with her pupils, fellow colleagues and pupils’ parents. In her memory the school and community have been creating a memorial garden which is due to be opened on June 23rd, a wonderful tribute to her. She was also a keen driver and held a Heavy Goods Class One Licence which enabled her to drive articulated vehicles in her spare time.
At Joanne’s funeral over £400 was collected and we were keen for the money to go towards research into Sudden Death. We had been told it was rare, a cot death in an adult, but nobody could tell us anything more. We searched fruitlessly for help and information until Pearl Hunt of the Compassionate Friends of Bereaved Parents told us about CRY. That phone call was a turning point. We discovered that we were not alone as there were so many parents like us. We are very grateful to all the mums and dads who spoke to us during that time, especially Lynne in Edinburgh and Alison at CRY. We also learned that the condition was not as rare as we had been led to believe, and we owe a very big thank you to all the CRY team for the invaluable information they gave us. At last we were talking with people we could relate to - it was a great relief.
When Joanne’s friends heard about CRY they immediately wanted to do something. They began to start fundraising for an ECG machine for the Ullapool and Isle of Lewis districts and their enthusiasm became infectious. It all started with the Lochbrim and District Sheepdog Trials which raised £1000. After that donations started coming in, a raffle was held, a soup and sandwiches lunch followed by a Grand Sale raised over £2000, four boys ran the London Marathon and dances and sponsored walks were organised. This was only the beginning as it is still going on!
We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of so many, we can’t help but be lifted by it all. Words can’t explain our gratitude. We hope that by introducing an ECG programme to our area we will help prevent the death of a much loved son or daughter and spare their parents this awful nightmare. We hope we can help CRY be heard, that people will listen and take note, and that the government will recognise there is a need for national screening. Until then we will keep on.
If you would like to contact one of our
Representatives or a Bereavement Supporter please call the CRY office at 01737 363222 or e-mail cry@c-r-y.org.uk
and we will put you in touch with someone who may be able to help
you.
|
