Clover House Therapy - The Complementary Therapy Centre for Children

 

My son has suffered with severe Crohn's disease since he was a baby, for 14 years life was full of tests, needles, medication, nasal-gastric feeding, catheters, and hospitalisations. There was the threat of a colostomy, and my son was too unwell to attend mainstream school. Every day was living with pain, diarrhoea, sickness, blood loss, weight loss. Our whole life was upset and for 14 years he needed 24 hour care. Even not sleeping for days on end. I have two other children thankfully who are well, but they have suffered, as my son's need was continuous.

 

In December 1999 my son's illness took a turn for the worst, and he was admitted to hospital. to enable morphine to be prescribed for 4 days. I had not slept, my son grabbing an odd 20 mins naps here and there. His stomach was rock hard; he hadn't eaten or drunk for days. The four days drained me of caring, I could not care any longer, I was exhausted, it felt as though I had been by his bedside for the past 14 years sleeping on a chair whilst he was hospitalised. When they gave him morphine and he was able to sleep, with no pain - I made a promise then and there that there has to be another answer to Ben's health. I did not want my son to rely on morphine, nasal gastric feeding and medication as a way to live.

 

My son’s illness was destroying his life; he has not experience friendships, going to school, or a carefree everyday life, that other healthy children have. He would watch lads play through the window, he had to be by a toilet at all times, he would go to the toilet about 11 times a day, and about five times at night. My son had expressed that life was too hard to carry on, that the pain was too much.

 

I discussed with his Dad that we had to try something else, that for all the 14 years with hospital treatments they have not worked for our son. It took me weeks of searching, when I came across a leaflet saying, "We treat the child, not the illness" for Clover House. I found this comforting, as I was careful not to do anything that would harm Ben. So after filling out a sample questionnaire I had an appointment within a few days to go to Clover House.

 

Now remember I had not ventured in this area before, however we went with an open mind. We were greeted with open arms, which I found astonishing, as with hospitals there can be long waiting times and no affection. I had built up a wall over the past 14 years, so I was very careful. I spoke for my son a lot of the times, as it was the normal with hospitals- the doctors would speak to me over Ben's head, but Clover House wanted to listen to Ben. At first I found this hard, but soon realised he can speak for himself, as they wanted to listen to him, and what he had to say was important.

 

He spent time with Basil with imagery, this enabled Ben to express his thoughts and

Feelings and fears, and express his concerns unconditionally. He was able to say when he's unhappy with his lifestyle of pain. He imagined away his pain as knives to be melted away.

 

Ben had sessions with Carole with nutrition, and advice on his diet; he is on goat’s milk, yeast free bread, no preservatives, artificial colour, flavouring, no fizzy drinks and only plain crisps. He had vitamins and time was spent teaching us both about nutrition and Ben has improved immensely.

 

With Jill and aromatherapy, Ben and I have found this very beneficial, as I feel re-charged. I have plenty of love and care to give. I have been taught to massage Ben (and my other children)

 

Ben is confident and for the first time in his life he can QO out and has made friends, he feels he does not have to be chained to a toilet- nor watch through the window at other kids he is out there with them. His medication which was at high doses is coming down - this is a first He is well, he looks healthy, the darkness has gone. He is starting to grow again; he had stopped growing for 4 years. He has suffered no pain or discomfort and wants to live, because he now say's 'Life's worth living" My wall has come down, and the change that I wished for, has happened. A smile on my sons face, a smile of happiness, no pain, no discomfort, a smile of contentment.

 

I now have three healthy children, Ben needs to be aware of his diet.

He has a lot of years to catch up on and looks forward to a normal life.

 

If anyone has an ill child, do not give up when everything looks hopeless, seek and find alternatives. As I took that frightening step, it all worked out better than I could imagine.

 

I always though alternative medicine would be beyond my expenses, but Clover House accepted that money was not an issue, and that any donation would be grateful. I would like to thank everyone who helps to donate to Clover House, as they have made it possible for people like myself and my son. to receive the choice of alternative medicine.