Families Face a Different Christmas on the Wards of Great Ormond Street Hospital
For many families, Christmas is a time of home, warmth and tradition. But for dozens of children and parents at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London, the festive season will be spent beside hospital beds, navigating treatment schedules, uncertainty and hope.
Among them is 13-month-old Lenny Page, who has spent every day of his life in hospital.
Born with VACTERL association, a rare condition involving multiple congenital abnormalities. Lenny’s oesophagus is not attached, meaning he is fed through tubes. Since birth, he has undergone 12 major surgeries and will need more in the months ahead.
His mother, Beth, has rarely left his side.
“The last year has been horrendous and tough,” she says. “There have been huge ups and downs with his health.”
Beth and her husband divide their time between work and the hospital, determined to be present for every milestone ,even Christmas.
“You don’t want to be in hospital at Christmas,” she says. “But as long as he’s well, that’s all that matters.”
The intensive care cot where Lenny sleeps is decorated with festive lights and Arsenal memorabilia, a nod to his football-mad family. At midnight, Beth says, they will welcome Christmas Day together at his bedside.
“When the clocks turn, he’ll have all his presents like a normal Christmas,” she explains. “We’ll try our best to make it feel as good as possible.”
For Lenny, Great Ormond Street is the only home he has ever known.
