Great Ormond Street Hospital

I was diagnosed with Gaucher disease at the age of five; little information was known about this rare condition in those days, and therefore it was decided that I should be under the care of GreatOrmond Street Hospital, the famous children’s hospital to which the legendary author J. Barrie gave all the rights of “Peter Pan” in 1929. I remember visiting this hospital once a year for a general check-up, and every waiting area, department or ward had the most beautiful carved wooden rocking horses, each one different and individual. I spent my 14^th birthday in that hospital, which was the last year I would be accepted there since I was no longer, considered a child. Unlike Peter Pan, I had to grow up and have since celebrated several  birthdays in various other hospitals, but only in Great Ormond Street Hospital, where every child is special and the kitchen staff never grow old, did they bake me a birthday cake. I can’t say for sure if Tinkerbell visits there from time to time, but some magic fairy dust must have been in the air when I underwent major surgery, the surgeons not knowing if I would survive or not, were delighted with their success when they eventually sent me home to recuperate. Thank you Great Ormond Street and may you continue your magic of helping the children that come through your doors.