Derbyshire family praise 'amazing' hospice

Owen Porter, of South Normanton, was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition eight years ago and his parents Tara and Jason were told that he might not survive.

Owen, now aged ten, has had 28 operations but is a “smiley” and “strong” character despite needing round-the-clock care.

His family are now encouraging people to support Rainbows Hospice at an open day later this month.

“We are very grateful to Rainbows for giving us precious family time,” Tara said. “I want people to know about the good work Rainbows does to help children like Owen and families like ours and I hope that people will support them in any way they can.”

When Owen was just two days old, he began vomiting old blood and it was uncertain if he would survive. Surgeons discovered Owen’s intestines hadn’t formed properly during pregnancy. They removed 90 per cent and Owen was left with short bowel syndrome, which causes malabsorption.

Owen was also found to have a perforation in his bowel when he was one week old, suffered a cardiac arrest when he was four-years-old and liver failure, chronic kidney disease and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

The open day at the hospice, based Lark Rise, Loughborough, Leicestershire, takes place on September 17. Call 01509 638000 or go to: www.rainbows.co.uk