You’d know teenager Maddison Ward and her uncle Jamie Moloney were together because of the laughter – lots of it. The pair had a close bond and enjoyed dancing together to their favourite song, Wonderwall, by Oasis. Her uncle was someone Maddison could go to anytime, for help and advice.
So, when Jamie became ill, it hit Maddison hard. He’d initially recovered well from a liver transplant but in 2024 his new liver started to fail and in March last year, doctors told him he needed end of life care.
Everyone rallied round. Maddison’s grandmother Sarah took time off work to care for Jamie. The family were referred to Birmingham Hospice, and our Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS’s) visited him at home every day to help manage his symptoms and offer pain relief.
The hospice team could see Maddison, who is now 15 years old, also needed support and she was referred for counselling with our Children’s Healing and Therapeutic Support (CHATS) Team.
While initially reluctant, Maddison ‘quickly clicked’ with Sam Kelly, one of our Children’s Therapeutic Practitioners.
Maddison’s mum Alicia said the counselling sessions were invaluable.
“Maddison would talk about everything and anything that was bothering her. If she didn’t want to talk about Jamie, she didn’t have to and when something else was bothering her, Sam was there to listen.
“Sam also gave Maddie a lovely book which she and Jamie completed together. Maddie’s very into art and they would draw on a canvas. Sam also gave her a Christmas card and a birthday present.
“It really helped Maddison to understand and open up more; teenagers don’t like to talk but Maddie did and I’m glad because it really helped her.”
In his final few weeks, healthcare assistants from our Hospice at Home Team helped to care for Jamie as he grew weaker. Our teams ensured he was able to spend his final days at home surrounded by his family and he died in July last year aged 34.
After his death, Maddison continued to attend fortnightly CHATS counselling sessions, and she was given a very special gift to remember her uncle by – a cast of the two of them holding hands.
Jamie and Maddison had a ‘father and daughter bond’ and Alicia praised the hospice team for the time and attention they spent helping him to plan ahead for after his death. He wrote birthday and Christmas cards, wrapped presents and recorded messages for his young son up until his 18th birthday.
“Whenever my mom or Jamie had a question, the teams from the hospice were always open and honest,” said Alicia.
“Mom always wanted to know what could happen so she would be prepared; they were really helpful and thoughtful.
“You build a bond with them because they put you so much at ease. Even when Jamie had bad days, they were so calm and relaxing; they would explain why they need to do it and talk him around; it’s amazing how someone can do that.
“It’s all the little things which make it easier. We know they’re busy so to take the time to sit with my mum the day after Jamie’s funeral and have a cup of tea with her made her day.”
Meanwhile, the family say their experience has made them lifelong supporters of Birmingham Hospice. They’ve already raised £5,000 a party held on Jamie’s birthday last year.
Now Alicia is set to tackle Mount Snowdon. “We are going to make sure we fundraise for Birmingham Hospice every year because they deserve everything we can give them in return.
“The amount of help and compassion we’ve had from everybody is amazing; it’s just going to be our little way of giving something back so the hospice can continue to support people.”
