Steve Palmer's blog about his son Stanley - who has Down's Syndrome - & the extended family.

Monday 21 May 2012

Why I'm delighted Stan told me to leave the room this morning


Ten years ago yesterday, Stan had his first heart operation. We didn’t know at the time that he’d need more than one. On 21 May 2002, things were looking good; but as the week progressed it got more and more desperate. 

And on 30 May they had to take him for more surgery. I can remember them wheeling him off as the ink dried on the consent form. So, it’s bringing back strong memories. There’s not a day that’s gone by in those ten years when I haven’t thought about the surgeon, the anaesthetist, the nurses, the consultants, the registrars, the people on the front desk and everyone at Great Ormond Street Hospital for saving my son’s life.


I remember standing at the gates of GOSH ten years ago thinking that I would do anything for him to just be alive.


So, this morning, I go into the lounge and he's listening to the ipod. He looks up and shouts: "Go away; party". And I get to look at the big picture; how I stood at the gates of the hospital and dreamt of a moment like that.

If you want to know more of how I felt at the time and why James O’Connor is such a superstar, read this, from “May 2002”

The book, the audiobook, the podcast & the newsletter

Down's with the kids - The book / Audiobook / The podcast Listen to the podcast on Spotify Subscribe to a weekly quirky learning d...