While many parents juggle the usual back to school chaos, for Laura and Al, preparing Grace for the world is far more complicated.
Grace is nine. She loves red pandas, Minecraft, making 3D cardboard creations and playing the ukulele. She is bright, creative and thoughtful. She also experiences the world differently. Grace is Autistic and has ADHD.
Food can be complicated for many Autistic children. Over the past two years, as she navigated new classrooms and friendships, Grace’s anxiety intensified. Foods she once enjoyed felt unbearable. Grace knew she needed to eat to stay healthy, but the sensory challenges and emotional weight around food became too much. Eventually, she was barely eating at all.
“It felt like she was vanishing before our eyes. Foods she once loved became impossible and mealtimes turned into battles. I could see her getting weaker and quieter and it was heart breaking not knowing how to help her. Every day was a struggle and I felt helpless watching my daughter suffer.” — Laura
Specialist care when it matters most
Grace was getting weaker, both physically and emotionally. Laura and Al knew she needed specialist help.
That’s when the team at Te Wao Nui Child Health Service stepped in.
At first, Grace sat in appointments hidden in her oversized pink hoodie, too anxious to speak or even look up. The team introduced sensory tools - fidget spinners, squishy balls and tactile resources - helping her feel safe enough to engage.
“The team didn’t rush her. They worked to create a space where she could feel safe. Slowly, with patience and care, they helped her begin to open up. They took the time to truly understand her needs, even when they were not immediately clear. Bit by bit, we saw her start to trust again and it was like watching a small but incredible change happen right before our eyes.”
Spaces that help children feel safe
One of Grace’s favourite places was the Quiet Wait Room, a calm space for children who find busy hospital environments overwhelming.
Spaces like this let children settle and feel safe, giving them the calm they need to face something hard. They also make it easier for clinicians to connect, which is often the first step toward recovery.
These small but powerful additions to our hospitals make a real difference for children like Grace and they are only possible thanks to the generosity of donors.
Donate now to help children like Grace
Your gift today ensures the teams at Wellington, Kenepuru and Hutt Hospitals have the extra tools, environments and resources they need to support children and families when it matters most.
From parents like Laura and Al, from children like Grace and from all of us at Wellington Hospitals Foundation, thank you for helping build a community that wraps around every child who needs it.
If you’d like to learn more about the impact your generosity makes, our latest newsletter shares inspiring stories from across our hospitals, from patients and whānau to the dedicated healthcare teams working every day to provide extraordinary care.
