Girl ‘frightened’ by hospital wants to help others
A girl who finds brain scans “scary” wants other children to enjoy rocket-themed scanner replicas that help calm patients.
Betsy, 11, from Blackburn, was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder after suffering a sudden seizure during a friend’s sleepover in February.
He was hospitalized after a scan revealed lesions on his brain and was diagnosed at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH) with a rare neurological condition that causes inflammation in his brain and spine.
“Being in the hospital is scary. The doctors and nurses at RMCH are really nice and helping me not to be afraid, but the tests and scans are still scary,” Betsy said.
His mother Rebecca said: “Waiting for the results was one of the hardest times we have ever faced. When the results finally came we were so relieved to hear it was not a tumour.”
Betsy’s hospital experience motivated her to participate in a charity walk to raise funds for fun, rocket-shaped simulators that help children overcome any anxiety associated with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanning.
Betsy (left) and her family will hold a charity walk to raise funds for rocket-themed machines [Rebecca Bullen]
Kids can lie inside the “rocket scanner,” which has lights and sounds similar to a real MRI machine.
Interactive games reward the child with points to help them understand the importance of remaining still during the scan.
Rebecca said experts used a Lego model to show her daughter how the MRI machine worked, but the scan was “a daunting prospect for her”.
“The new Rocket Scanners will make a huge difference for kids like Betsy, turning something scary into something fun and familiar.”
The family have already raised £2,000 ahead of their first fundraising ‘pajama walk’ in Heaton Park on November 8.
Dawn Stone, senior events manager at Manchester Foundation Trust Charity, said: “We are so proud to host our first charity pajama walk this year.
“It’s a great opportunity for families to come together to make a difference to our young patients and experience Heaton Park as the seasons change.”
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