We were transferred from Warwick to Leicester around 5am after our baby boy Z who was 7 weeks old had to be put onto a ventilator and Warwick could not support him. After a terrifying week before and journey, Caitlin was there when we arrived to look after our beautiful baby boy, who was fully sedated. To us as parents, as you can imagine, it was the most terrifying time, and walking into the intensive care unit alone was just heartbreaking. Caitlin’s kind words and smile when we arrived first made us feel like we were able to sit in silence, cry, and feel any feelings we needed to without judgment. But the first thing I noticed was how she spoke to our baby boy. Z was on a ventilator, fully sedated, but she spoke to him constantly during her care for him. She spoke to him as if he could speak back and was looking at her and always with a huge smile. She was positive and commented on how cute he was and she was just a very warm person. This honestly is what filled me with hope during such an awful time.

Caitlin’s continued care for him during that week put me at ease, and after a few days, I finally felt confident enough to leave his bedside. She demonstrated her extensive knowledge; and not only that but we could speak to her and it was clear her passion for learning more to care for intubated children and to help families and babies such as ours. A nurse I think can make or break a family during this time, and Caitlin went above and beyond. When I left for the first time, it was Easter, and she had an idea to make some cards with his little footprints on them. I couldn’t have imagined this, and we will cherish these forever.

Thank you, Caitlin. I am not quite sure how we would have coped through that experience without you. And I know baby Z will always remember your soft voice and your gentle touch when caring for him. Thank you so much.