b'Comfort for FamiliesTHE DIFFERENCE A HOSPICE IN WICKLOW WILL MAKEMaries StoryAfter two days of her terminally ill mother not eating orHowever, it still rankles that owing to the fact that there wasdrinking, Marie Kindlon still remembers as clear as day the no hospital facility in Co. Wicklow, the family could not givewords spoken to her by a consultant as she sought some sort their mother her dying wish: to end her last few days at home.of assistance for her dying mother. Despite what Marie had to cope with, she knows that otherfamilies had to deal with even more harrowing situations, and,There is no palliative care in Wicklow. in a way, considers herself lucky. Other families travel evenfarther, depending on where the nearest hospice bed can befound.Marie and her family were fortunate enough to secure a bed in We had the means to be able to travel up and down everyat a hospice in Dublin, 60 miles from their home in Arklow. day to see Mammy and spend time together as a family. The family was relieved to be in a position to afford theTragically, there are dying people in acute hospitals waiting foropportunity for her to end out her last days with dignity. But family members to travel huge distances to come and visitstill, the daily travel to Dublin was stressful. them, knowing that they are dying.Evannes StoryMy own mother also had a most peaceful death thanks to hos-pice care. She had terminal cancer and the home care teamcame every day to see her and help with pain control.Nothingwas too much trouble.For her final 12 hours on earth, shewent into the hospice. The love, compassion and care that wasshown not only to my mother but to all of us, her family wasmy inspiration for becoming involved in The Wicklow Hos-pice Foundation. My mission is to try and get the same level ofcare for everyone with a terminal illness, at a time when theyare so frightened and vulnerable.Having experienced it first-hand, I know the incalculable difference this made for bothmy mother and the whole family.Evanne Cahill of the Wicklow Hospice FoundationThese experiences are the inspiration driving the establishment of anew Wicklow Hospice. The Ireland Funds are pleased to be a part ofbringing this much-needed care to the people of Wicklow.connect2013 | 24'