When parents Angie and Mike took their son Lennie swimming, they noticed a lump on his back. The Doctors at the hospital didn’t know what it was, so they were referred to Great Ormond Street. 

Angie explains, “We were sat down and given the diagnosis of Hurler Syndrome. It basically means that Lennie’s cells can’t break down sugar molecules, so these toxins eat away inside of him, which affects how his bones and organ’s function.” 

“I was given a thick book to look through and sent home. I wish I’d known about Little Havens at that point.” 

Angie and Mike both had to give up their careers to be full-time carers for Lennie, although they were coping at home they felt “things were getting too much” so a Support Worker at GOSH referred them to Little Havens. 

“We have no idea how his condition will progress, so we don’t really know what the future holds. But there is nowhere else like Little Havens that can support us through it all. It means everything just to know they are here if and when we need them.” 

“Here we can just be Mum and Dad. Lottie, his half-sister, also joins us here, so it’s a chance for them to enjoy quality sibling time together, too. We even spent his 6th birthday at Little Havens.  

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Published in 2024