WITH JULIA’S HOUSE FOREVER BUTTERFLIES

This spring we launch Forever Butterflies, where you can purchase a beautiful blue butterfly to celebrate the life of a friend or loved one. Julia’s House Young Ambassador Diana Lawrence is dedicating her butterfly to her mum, Maria, and her sister Gabrielle, who was cared for by Julia’s House.

“When my baby sister, Gabby, was born she soon started having seizures and that’s when we realised she wasn’t a healthy baby. We discovered she had a rare brain condition which meant one side of her brain was stronger than the other – and this would be shown in her face – she had a little bit of a puffy cheek on one side which was the sweetest. Her condition led to scoliosis of the spine, epilepsy and learning difficulties and she stopped being able to swallow,” shared Diana.

“Gabby didn’t ever let her condition defeat or define her. She was the bubbliest, happiest girl you could meet. She was unable to talk but could communicate in her own way and her laugh would light up the whole room!

“After Gabby died, Julia’s House looked after her during her final days. The nurses and carers reassured us that we could stay by her side and decorate the room just how she would have wanted. We had some photographs printed and put them up all around the room. We played her favourite songs and projected the night sky above her. It all looked so tranquil and peaceful.

She looked like she was just fast asleep, tucked into bed.

“We couldn’t have wished for a better place to be with Gabby in her final days than Julia’s House –a place where she came and played when she was alive and I guess she was playing there even after she was gone. When I look back I can smile because it was the best way things could have been.

“Some time after Gabby had died, we were invited to a remembering day at the hospice and spent the day talking about Gabby and how bubbly and happy she always was. Gabby wasn’t just missed by us but by all the staff at Julia’s House. We found it really comforting to talk about the memories we had ALL made together.

“Sadly, the night of the remembering day my mum grew her wings and went to be with my little sister. It was a complete shock.

“Even after Gabby and then my