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You are here: Home / Blog / The world’s first specialist nurse for undiagnosed children – Happy Undiagnosed Children’s Day 2015

The world’s first specialist nurse for undiagnosed children – Happy Undiagnosed Children’s Day 2015

Published on 24th Apr 2015 by Renata
You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete. – Richard Buckminster Fuller

Almost a year. That’s how long it’s been since I have actually clicked on a button to publish my thoughts publicly. A lot can happen in almost a year, including events that make you realise that sometimes fighting for the greater good in the public eye has to be put on hold to protect those you love.

But my quietness on my beloved little blog does not mean that I have not still been trying to change the world, that happens regardless. Let me therefore, finally, share with you news that I’m so proud of I could burst. Here is the press release for the very exciting thing I have been doing, that all started exactly a year a go today when someone from Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity saw the ‘Happy’ video that the children and I made.

I am so, so delighted to be able to finally tell you about the world’s first nurse just for Undiagnosed Children:

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

Mum works with Roald Dahl Charity to create the world’s first specialist nurse for children with ultra-rare undiagnosed conditions

 

Post announced on Undiagnosed Children’s Day: Friday 24th April 2015

A mother of a child with an ultra-rare genetic condition has teamed up with Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, to help create a ground-breaking nursing position devoted to children with undiagnosed diseases.

The new nurse will be based at the world-famous Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital (GOSH) in London, where many children with ‘SWAN’ or Syndromes Without A Name are treated. If you are interested in healthcare careers make sure to find options online.

It’s being announced to coincide with UNDIAGNOSED CHILDREN’S DAY on Friday 24th April 2015, a national annual event aimed at raising awareness of those young people whose condition is so rare, they don’t have names.

Eight year old Dominic Blower’s condition is highly complex and he can spend months at a time in GOSH. His mum, Renata, needs to stay with him to help care for him. She’s since discovered that her two older children have the same undiagnosed condition, but a less severe version. Make sure to learn more about symptoms of mthfr in adults through this website to stay healthy.

It was Renata’s experiences when Dominic was a baby that started her one-woman campaign to make sure that no other families had to go through what she had.

“It was the loneliest and scariest experience of my life. No one could tell me if my baby was going to live or die, they couldn’t even tell me what was wrong with him. Doctors would come in and out our little hospital room and each time I was waiting for devastating news. It was awful, like being stuck in a living nightmare with no one to turn to for support. It was even harder when we went home.”

She realised that children with undiagnosed conditions like Dominic were missing out on a specialist nurse to oversee their care such as those assigned to known conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy.

Renata said, “Coordinated care is extremely important for SWAN children, who are under many consultants and often have complex medical needs and learning difficulties that follow no established pattern. A specialist nurse can make all the difference, reducing the number of procedures and tests, making sure that, where possible, appointments are scheduled on the same day. Ensuring that the child’s needs are understood if they are admitted to hospital is just one of the many ways the nurse can help. “

Renata has spent many years trying to raise awareness of the difficulties that families with undiagnosed children face, including meeting with the Children’s Minister Edward Timpson.

She said, “I had not lost hope that I would one day succeed in convincing people that this specialist nurse would be of huge value not only to families but also to the hospital. In the end it was luck that brought me the opportunity.”

In 2014, Renata made a video featuring their family to mark Undiagnosed Children’s Day. When Roald Dahl Marvellous Children’s Charity left a Facebook comment on the video, she discovered the charity had already funded 50 specialist nurses for diagnosed children. She contacted them immediately.

“I was so excited when I got a reply almost immediately giving me the CEO’s personal mobile number saying he was very interested to hear more about it and asking me to give him a call.”

Richard Piper, CEO of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity said, “Conflicting information, limited treatment options and endless medical tests can turn the lives of SWAN families upside down and leave them feeling isolated, confused, highly anxious and even depressed. Everyday life can all but disappear. The current system is set up to provide support for a child once they have a particular label and fit neatly into a particular pathway of care and support. (visit here to know about the mmi interview process and how you can increase your score in it)

“We want the system to work for everyone. By creating this unique Roald Dahl SWAN Nurse post – and showing the difference it makes – we are championing these thousands of overlooked children and families, and helping to create genuinely child-centred care.”

The Roald Dahl SWAN specialist nurse is thought to be the first of its kind in the world to specifically to support undiagnosed children.

Renata said, “Having a specialist nurse available for advice, support and especially to help to co-ordinate care will make life much less traumatic for many, many children and families like mine. When Dominic was born, my whole world changed. He was in and out of hospital, often extremely unwell and no one could tell me why. Without a diagnosis, there is no prognosis, so I couldn’t dream of a future for my child because I didn’t know if he had one. Consult local Orlando attorney for personal injury claims, if you believe the child was mistreated or abused. You can also contact the well-experienced Bakersfield, CA personal injury lawyers to protect your rights.

“I can’t wait to break the news to the families who are part of the SWAN UK online community. It’s perfect that our announcement coincides with Undiagnosed Children’s Day on Friday 24th April this year. This is the first step to ensuring proper support for very vulnerable families who have children with some of the most complex medical needs and disabilities in the country. The Roald Dahl SWAN nurse will be a lifeline to many families. I hope this is just the start and we will be able to roll this out to other specialist children’s hospitals very soon.”

The new role will be created in collaboration with children and their families with the Centre for Outcomes and Experience Research into Children’s Health, Illness and Disability at Great Ormond Street Hospital over the next few months. It is hoped the new post will join the team by early next year. This new role has been funded by Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity and St James’s Place Foundation.

Renata Elliot Lilia and Dominic Blower

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Posted in Advocacy, Blog, Undiagnosed | Tagged children's hospital, Dominic Blower, family, great ormond street hospital, Renata Blower, Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity, St James' Place Foundation, undiagnosed children's day 2015
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101 Responses

  1. Jon Yates says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:23 am

    Renata, you’re amazing.

    Happy Undiagnosed Children’s day.

    I’ll be looking out for you on the news.

    X

  2. Karen Taylor says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:25 am

    Can we share x

  3. Jo Burt says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:29 am

    Oh my god … Really ?!!

  4. Danielle Myers says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:30 am

    So excited to be able to talk about it now!! Xx

  5. Karen Taylor says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:30 am

    For us wales we unlikely access due out area no funds if we able pay private see them i would in heart beat this totally amazing developmemt xx

  6. Faith Berry says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:30 am

    Wow, well done you!! Xxx

  7. Helen Hook says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:32 am

    Fantastic! Well done indeed x

  8. Sharon Francis says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:35 am

    Brilliant news xxx

  9. Penny Carr says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:35 am

    Renata Blower you’re amazing! Fantastic news – so pleased. I always knew last year’s video was special and just look what it’s helped do. Xxx

  10. Jenny Hinde says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:35 am

    This is amazing. Fabulous news!

  11. Charlotte Metcalfe says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:38 am

    Wow fantastic!!!

  12. Chloe Mort says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:40 am

    Brilliant news! Well done you!

  13. Pingback: Happy Undiagnosed Children’s Day 2015! | SWAN UK
  14. Sarah Millhouse says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:46 am

    Well done!! X

  15. Deb Aspland Was Swindley says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:46 am

    Renata for PM next? Well done xxx

  16. Gabriella Molnar says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:48 am

    Well done

  17. Lauren Roberts says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:50 am

    Miriam Ingram can we get this pumping out regularly through the day please?

  18. Jane Curzon says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:50 am

    Congratulations and a huge high five to you! well done!!!!

  19. Becky Shay Pollard says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:51 am

    Fantastic!!

  20. Lauren Roberts says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:52 am

    Anyone who is interested in helping design the post you can find the new FB consultation group on link below (please note we probably won’t get round registering you until next week) https://www.facebook.com/groups/RoaldDahlSWANpost/

  21. Sally Wilson Allen says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:57 am

    Wonderful news, thank you x x

  22. Vaila Morrison says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:00 am

    This is AMAZING!!! You are a superstar!

  23. Danielle Warman says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:01 am

    Amazing lady. All you do. Xxx well done xx

  24. Gill Pick says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:01 am

    What amazing news. Just seen you on local news

  25. Seona Williams says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:02 am

    Amazing – the power of a mother’s love. In awe of you.

  26. Vicky Barrett says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:08 am

    I could burst with excitement for you. I feel completely over awed and quite emotional. Having shared your journey from a distance since Dominic was a baby (?), I never had any doubt that you had the ability to achieve great things. What an amazing achievement!

  27. Paula Pizzuto Moore says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:09 am

    Fantastic news. X

  28. Leise Cooper says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:15 am

    This is the most wonderful news! Well done, you are amazing!

  29. Lynette Dowden says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:17 am

    Such Fab news, someone I know just shared this on my timeline. x x x

  30. Maura Mc Crystal says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:18 am

    This is fantastic well done Renata congratulations and thank you xx

  31. Patsy O'shea says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:19 am

    Well done darling this is fantastic news

  32. Nicole Lisa says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:21 am

    well done!

  33. Cerys Goaman says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:23 am

    Wow!

  34. Tania Tirraoro says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:23 am

    So you should be proud- awesome achievement. SNJ post is up top xx

  35. Claire J Chissell says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:24 am

    Amazing news xxxxx

  36. Sophie Kain says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:27 am

    That’s amazing. Well done.

  37. Susan Cuin says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:28 am

    That’s brilliant news! Well done you for doing something!

  38. Vicki Campbell Nixon says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:32 am

    What an amazing achievement, congratulations on all your hard work paying off xx

  39. Ruth Cameron Dawkins says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:34 am

    Brilliant Renata, well done xxx

  40. Ruth Cameron Dawkins says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:35 am

    Ping Daisy Dinwoodie, you might be interested in this xx

  41. Emma-Kate Thompson says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:36 am

    Fantastic! I simply cannot believe how much the children have GROWN!

  42. Nikki Lancaster says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:37 am

    So proud of you ❤️ well done xx this could literally change Dominic and Lennon’s life’s and so many others xx

  43. Karen Landsman says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:37 am

    Fan-beeping-tastic! You have just made a huge difference to so many families 🙂

  44. Alex Davey says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:38 am

    Wonderful … Amazing … Well done!

  45. Becca Varley says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:44 am

    Wow Renata, well done that’s a fantastic thing to achieve – it will make a real difference to families with children with rare genetic conditions. Amy Hunter thought you would be interested in this news x

  46. Daisy Dinwoodie says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:45 am

    Fantastic news for all of us!

  47. Denise Cannadine says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 6:45 am

    Fantastic news xx

  48. Helen Burns says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 7:09 am

    Brilliant news!! will make such a difference to people’s lives. Let’s get them everywhere!!

  49. Randi Roisli says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 7:10 am

    Fantastic and so deserved – congrats a tonne!!

  50. Edel Coulter says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 7:22 am

    Amazing

  51. Alison Bloomer says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 7:23 am

    Great news x

  52. Jane Wing says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 7:28 am

    In the muddled of reading your blog post – and there you are on my TV telling us about it!! Well done Renata! X

  53. Jane Wing says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 7:28 am

    *middle* not muddled!!

  54. Becky Rideout says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 7:37 am

    Happy

  55. Jenni Jazi Jolly says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 7:38 am

    Fantastic xx

  56. Siobhan Calthrop says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 7:44 am

    Seriously bloody well done, R!!! You are quite the inspiration…..

  57. Emma Johannissen Collins says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 7:46 am

    Well done Renata!!!

  58. Kate Dickinson says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 8:00 am

    That is amazing, well done x

  59. Shermeela Kauser says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 8:12 am

    Fantastic welk done !

  60. Jennie Green says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 8:22 am

    Amazing job Renata Blower. We are proud to know you.

  61. Steph's Two Girls says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 8:25 am

    woo hoo! Fab efforts 🙂

  62. Pippa Best says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 8:27 am

    What amazing news! You are wonderful xxx

  63. Claire Connolly says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 8:31 am

    Well done on all your hard work. so proud x

  64. Annie Robb says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 8:32 am

    Wowwowow amazing – well done all xxx

  65. Mary Nel says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 8:48 am

    So awesome, well done Renata!

  66. Louise Croft says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 8:52 am

    Read this & thought of you Andrea Mattison, I remember you talking about SWAN x x

  67. Steven Wells says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 8:54 am

    Wonderful news!! 🙂

  68. Karen Taylor says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 9:09 am

    Sounds amazing

  69. Emilie Patricola says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 9:36 am

    Awesome!! Well done Renata, your efforts have paid off!

  70. Tuesday Trott says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 10:56 am

    The power of love and devotion are unstoppable. Renta you are an inspiration and example for us all! Huge hugs from across the pond.

  71. Rachael Rozenberg says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 11:32 am

    So amazing. Your so inspirational Renata.

  72. Mary Roballo says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 11:57 am

    What wonderful news! Wow, looking at that picture I am struck by how very much each of the kids has grown! Elliot especially looks like he’s sprouted!

  73. Andrea Mattison says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 12:14 pm

    That’s great news

  74. Crystal Wise says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 12:23 pm

    This is amazing Renata! You and your story have provided me with so much hope for my daughters future!

  75. Laura Etches Terry says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 1:11 pm

    What a wonderful wonderful thing you’ve been able to create.

  76. Mei Lim McIvor says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 1:34 pm

    Renata I actually have tears welling up reading this…this really is an amazing achievement. Such an incredibly important role that so many children will not benefit from. And all because of you and how hard you fight and work. A truly inspirational woman xxxxxx

  77. Mei Lim McIvor says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 1:36 pm

    *obviously scrub out ‘NOT’ in the above!

  78. Keri Wood says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 1:53 pm

    Congrats Renata x

  79. Sally Wilson says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 2:09 pm

    That’s such amazing news

  80. Helen Banks says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 2:09 pm

    And I have had the privilege of meeting this lovely lady xx

  81. Ruth Northway says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 2:36 pm

    What a fantastic development!

  82. Katherine Kowalski says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 3:13 pm

    Renata this is absolute wonderful news! Thank you so, so much for all your hard work in getting this new and vital nursing role secured for our children. It will be life changing for so many x

  83. Elisabeth Carson says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 3:20 pm

    Wow. Just wow. X

  84. Kath Elley says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 3:21 pm

    Sounds like they need all the support that they can get

  85. Emma Murphy says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 3:31 pm

    Absolutely fabulous

  86. Graeme Kite says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 3:33 pm

    Wow, that is very clever, and well done!

  87. Mel TB says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 3:41 pm

    You really are the most amazing mum. An enormous well done on this news.

  88. Stacy Lorraine says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 3:52 pm

    Great job Renata 😉 Hugs for all you are doing.

  89. Nicola Pitman says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 5:50 pm

    Just saw it on telly!

  90. Lucy Charlwood says:
    24th Apr 2015 at 7:39 pm

    Well done Renata. What a fantastic achievement!

  91. Karen Leist Bassett says:
    25th Apr 2015 at 12:00 am

    Oh my gosh how wonderful!! And such a beautiful picture to go with it. Can’t believe how tall Elliot and Lilia are now!!!

  92. Renata Blower says:
    25th Apr 2015 at 12:40 am

    Thank you Vicky x

  93. Renata Blower says:
    25th Apr 2015 at 12:41 am

    Thanks Claire

  94. Pearl Newman says:
    25th Apr 2015 at 7:04 am

    Wonderful lady

  95. Renata Blower says:
    25th Apr 2015 at 9:14 am

    Thanks Diana

  96. Stephs Two Girls says:
    25th Apr 2015 at 10:53 pm

    Top news, so many will benefit thanks to all your hard work. You are an amazing lady! 🙂

  97. Renata Blower says:
    26th Apr 2015 at 12:10 am

    Thanks everyone <3

  98. Downs Side Up says:
    26th Apr 2015 at 10:42 am

    Renata, I am so very proud to call you a friend. You are changing the world in very real, tangible ways. All the hard work has been worth it. Congratulations! Hayley xxx

  99. Jenny from Cheetahs In My Shoes says:
    26th Apr 2015 at 5:43 pm

    I hope you can feel my grins of delight radiating down the road – thrilled for you – and obviously, still utterly in awe. Much love xx

  100. Looking for Blue Sky says:
    28th Apr 2015 at 9:07 am

    Well done! Fantastic news, and hopefully one day we can get a dedicated nurse in Ireland too x

  101. Claire says:
    30th Apr 2015 at 11:07 am

    Great news! I know how much we appreciate our Cardiac Liasion Nurse- so glad there is now a specialist nurse for undiagnosed children and hopefully many more around the World in the future. 🙂 xxx

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