Grace's Story

Grace was born in Edinburgh on 24th October 2022, seemingly healthy, but soon turned blue and was rushed to NICU. A doctor later told her parents, Donna and Paul, that something was wrong with her heart, and if they had gone home, she wouldn’t have survived the night.

At less than 24 hours old, Grace was then transferred to Glasgow for specialist care and was diagnosed with Pulmonary Atresia.

Grace's Mum Donna shares, “Leaving the hospital without her was devastating. We had to explain to our son, William, that his sister was very sick. No one had the chance to meet Grace before she was rushed to Glasgow.”

Crossbasket House: Our Safe Space

Grace’s family live 58 miles away from the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, so to have Crossbasket house 5 minutes away meant they could stay as close to Grace as possible during some of the most difficult days of their lives.

“In that moment, we didn’t think about food or sleep- just staying close to our daughter.”

Donna, Grace's Mum

“We truly will be forever grateful to the House for the support they gave us as a family. A comfortable bed to sleep in each night, a nursing chair in the room so I could express milk, our own space to store food, a place to cook and eat, and a shower that just felt like a luxury at the time.

The ability to make a cup of tea or coffee in our room, gave us a safe space to just break down, knowing our lives had changed forever, so much unknown still to come, but a cup of tea was a little bit of comfort.

“The staff were amazing, making sure we were settled in and had everything we possibly could have needed, they would ask how things were going and always making sure the House had everything families needed.

“In total, we stayed at Crossbasket House for 6 weeks while Grace had procedures and her first open heart surgery at 19 days old. We were able to have our little boy stay with us on the odd night which was a massive thing for us as a family. William still remembers the house, calling it ‘our house to stay in when the Doctors help Grace with her heart’.”

The family more recently stayed in Crossbasket House for 9 days while Grace had her second open heart surgery in May 2024. Donna shares, “It again just felt like a comfort. It was familiar, the staff remembered us, and they were just as lovely as the first time around.”

Giving Back

To show their appreciation for all the House has done, and will continue to do for the family, Donna and Paul held a bingo night with family and friends, raising an amazing £2,000 for Crossbasket House!

“No amount of money could ever repay the incredible work they do for families like ours, but it was nice to be able to give a little something back after all they have done for us. Crossbasket House was a lifesaver for us.

Thank you to everyone who has played a part in helping our family.”