More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The parents of a six-year-old boy with complex needs say caring for their son through the pandemic has been made easier thanks to staff at a Kent charity.
Jensen Norris from Sutton Valence was born with the rare Sturge-Weber and Klippel-Trenaunay syndromes, which limit his development and cause distressing symptoms including seizures.
He has been under the care of staff at ellenor, a charity which supports those with terminal illnesses in Kent, since he was 15 months old.
Parents Nicola and Lee Norris, say ellenor has been a lifeline by continuing to provide support services to Jensen from home.
Mrs Norris added: “Lee and I usually work outside the home – I’m based in the admin department at London Bridge Hospital, and initially I was worried that I might have inadvertently brought Covid-19 back from the hospital into our home.
“The ellenor team were there to reassure me whenever I needed it, and to explain how we’d handle a crisis if it arose. So far, though, thankfully, we’re all virus-free and are doing everything we can to stay that way. We feel so lucky to have their support.”
Jensen usually goes to a specialist school, but the coronavirus means he is now at home full time. This has brought additional challenges to the family as Jensen has no spatial awareness, meaning social distancing is not an option.
While away from his school routine, Mrs Norris says ellenor have kept her son stimulated through virtual music therapy sessions.
Jensen's regular nurse Sian has also been working hard to find multi-sensory lights and toys for him to play with in the garden.
The ellenor hospice in Gravesend is the only charity in the county that provides care for people of all ages, and their families.
Its vital work is funded through donations and 14 charity shops which operate across Kent.
Four of its stores in Crayford, Dartford Priory, Swanscombe and Bexley have now reopened with more hoping to follow soon.
