A Co Tyrone mum whose baby lived for just four hours has returned to the hospital bereavement suite that supported her family to make a poignant donation
Mairead Phair and her family visited the South West Acute Hospital this week to hand over a cheque for more than £2,000 towards the new facility in the maternity ward of the Co Fermanagh hospital.
Oisin was born in the hospital in 2018 but died later that day due to a serious birth defect.
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The cheque was handed over on what would have been her son Oisin’s third birthday, and Mairead said she wanted the money to go towards other families who have to deal with difficult circumstances while in hospital.
“It was Oisin’s birthday on Monday so we wanted to go down and present it on that day to mark it,” Mairead said.
“It was lovely to see the plans for the bereavement suite and everything they were going to be doing - I was so pleased we were able to be part of that so that Oisin’s memory will live on.
“To know that it will help so many different families is the best thing about it."
Oisin was diagnosed with birth defect anencephaly during Mairead’s pregnancy and the family were told it wasn’t clear what impact it would have on the pregnancy or his life.
When it later became clear that the condition would have a serious impact on whether he would be able to survive the birth, Mairead said the impact for her and husband Gareth was devastating.
“It was a big shock because we didn’t know what to expect, we didn’t think of anything really at the time, we were in limbo a wee bit,” Mairead added.
“It was a very traumatic day because we had originally lost another wee baby in 2018 and miscarriages along the way so it was just a devastating blow for us.
“We didn’t know if he would make it to full-term or if he would be alive when he was born, but there was nothing else we could do.
“He was born and we had him for four hours before he passed away. We were blessed to have him for even that short period of time.”
Mairead adds that life simply had to go on for her, Gareth and her other children, and they were blessed to bring baby Shay into the world last year.
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“Life goes on, at that time we were just doing everything for the children and that’s why we decided to raise the money.
“It hasn’t been easy, but we have had our wee boy Shay who is one now and he keeps us going. To be able to do it on Oisin’s birthday, it was almost just meant to be.”
Lead midwife at the SWAH, Brenda McCabe, said she was privileged to receive the donation from the Phair family.
“Mairead, Gareth and their family wished to commemorate Oisin’s 3rd birthday by donating the £2128.94 they fundraised in memory of their much loved son and to help other families who will have use of the new Bereavement Suite located in the Maternity Ward at the Hospital,” Brenda said.
“Oisin’s legacy will forever remain with his family and loved ones and also the whole community, in the development of the dedicated Bereavement Suite. On behalf of the Maternity staff in the hospital I wish to say thank you for this poignant donation.”
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