Pages

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Meg's Story

Imagine you are playing with your toddler, about to announce the news of your new pregnancy to friends, your husband happily off at the beach having a kite surf.

The phone rings.

You race to the beach and don't go home again for over six months.


Here is Meg's story:

A special community of women



In February 2010 my sister's husband had a terrible kite boarding accident in New Zealand that left him paraplegic. At the time they had a gorgeous and very busy 2 year old boy and one new bubba on the way, so needless to say things were pretty tough. There are so many tragic parts of this journey but I've decided to write about one of the the special moments that have come about since.

Life as a mummy in a busy world can hurtle by without too much time to stop and take a breath so to me the way that my sister's mummy friends have gathered around her in such an extreme time of need, shock and grief was astounding. This community of amazing women in Wanaka who all led their own busy lives, some with dramas of their own banded together to assist a fellow mother. They did so without any expectation of thanks or accolades and the help has not lessened almost a year on. Here are some of the special ways in which they provided love, support and friendship:

* They organised deliveries of clothes, bedding, a tv, toys and lots of other homely comforts to the spinal hospital (a 6 hr drive) to make life more bearable for my sister and her son while they stayed at the hospital for 6 months (on the day of the accident my sister received a phone call, she left her son with a neighbour to spare him the horror and drove straight out to the site of the accident. They did not return home for the next 6 months)

* Care packages were sent every two months with all sorts of treasures to put a smile on my sisters face

* They cleaned their house, stocked the fridge, freezer and pantry before they returned home

* They helped unpack the car after finally returning home

* Their next door neighbour quietly slips in and takes the washing off the line, folds it and leaves it at their back door

* They arranged for 18 hours of home help, like a 'Rent a Mum' system

* Their grass is mowed without even having to ask

* A meal roster has been organised where the food is dropped off with a neighbour so that my sister is not having to host visitors

* Babysitting is insisted upon so that my sister, her husband and new baby get some time to rest.







Have you experienced or been part of a group supporting a Mum or a family?

9 comments:

  1. That is truly amazing. What a wonderful community!

    ReplyDelete
  2. That gives me shivers. How amazing! We live in a different state to our families, but I am confident that we would be looked after by our neighbours and mothers group friends, if we ever needed it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. How incredibly, wonderfully thoughtful. It sounds like it would be such a help during a very trying time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's always amazing to see how loving people can be, my church supported me through my pregnancies .When I couldn't stop vomiting women took the older children and meals were left at my door I will always be grateful .

    ReplyDelete
  5. Just amazing. What a wonderful, wounderful group of women.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, I have tears in my eyes both at the tragedy and for the overwhelming practical love of the community of women who supported Meg & her family.
    Truly inspiring story.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tears in my eyes too.
    It reminds me of a guy in a local rugby team, who 10 minutes in to the first game of the season, right in front of our eyes = was also left paraplegic. In this case it was the Bangalow community, and the rugby community who pitched in. The family are now in a community built/fundraising paid for purpose built house back in bangalow.

    It is amazing amazing amazing what small communities can do. I really can't imagine this happening in cities.

    And I am not suprised this happened in Wanaka...beautiful place - there must surely be beautiful people.

    ReplyDelete

Commenting brings amazing luck, you must try it and see how you go!