Momentum leap yields serene haven
The Alberton community’s relentless support has brought a momentous project worth millions to life.
The last wish uttered by Stepping Stone Palliative Care Services’ founding member’s daughter, who battled a rare disease, sparked a movement that has changed a multitude of lives.
By her third birthday, Tersia Burger’s only child had 41 fractures and not once did any doctor prescribe pain medication for her because of their misperceptions that children do not experience pain.
Tersia, CEO at Stepping Stone Hospice, lost her only child, Vicky, at the age of 38 after a horrific battle with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). She suffered a lifetime of pain because her pain wasn’t controlled.
OI is a genetic disorder of connective tissues caused by an abnormality in the synthesis or processing of type I collagen. It is also called brittle bone disease.
In keeping with her promise to Vicky, Tersia has vowed to provide compassionate, palliative and holistic care to children and their families.
Through blood, sweat, and tears, Stepping Stone Hospice has grown tremendously over the years and has now branched out to open its brand new Martelise Meaker Children’s In-Patient Unit.
Dying wish comes to pass
On January 1, 2013, Stepping Stone Hospice and Care Services opened its doors from Tersia’s home – with just one nurse, one wheelchair, a car and the late Vicky as their first patient.
“Vicky was our first patient and she was also our first death, she died on January 18, 2013. I’ve realised that children with rare diseases also need palliative care from cradle to grave. Doctors said she couldn’t live to the age of nine, but she turned 12, turned 18 and had a baby at 22,” Tersia explained.
In 2012, Tersia started looking for a Hospice to assist her child who was in unbearable pain before her passing.
“She was on 600mm of morphine, bearing in mind that when we start a patient on morphine, we start them with two and a half milligrams. And nothing controlled her pain. Five months before her death, Vicky was finally in a palliative care programme,” she said.
November 2012, Vicky said to her mother, “Mommy, I’m dying, promise me you will start a Hospice so no one one will suffer the way I did.” Tersia candidly promised that she would.
Children’s unit offers support
As the entity grew, Martelise Meaker, Stepping Stone’s first young patient, left an indelible mark on the organisation at the young age of 11.
The brand new unit was named in her honour, ensuring her legacy lives on in the care of countless children to come.
The Martelise Meaker Children’s In-Patient Unit based at 12 Glen Albyn Street in Raceview opened its doors to the community on July 26.
This vital facility will provide specialised care and support for young patients facing life-limiting illnesses. The unit will offer 10 beds, with three rooms providing ample space for parents to stay overnight, as well as play and study areas – all within a warm and welcoming environment.
It will also be specially designed to help minimise stress and anxiety for loved ones.
“There are few children’s hospices. Our children don’t get the palliative care that they deserve. Palliative care is comfort care. We’ll need to know what the child’s favourite lullaby is and we’ll work closely with parents. With love and care, we will make a huge difference,” Tersia explained.
Tersia extended her gratitude to their kind sponsors who came to the fore in recent weeks to show their support.
“The community has assisted in the past weeks. But we had to carry the full renovation costs. We purchased the stands at the value of R3.5m and renovations cost us R1.59m. If the community didn’t come through, we wouldn’t have had the money to do the garden,” she said.
The second phase will see the second property (14 Glen Albyn Street) being extended to join with the children’s section. It will contain offices, quiet rooms, and a central kitchen.
The entity needs every contribution, big or small, to create a special place for these brave children and their families.
“We ask for funds for our operational costs among other things needed at the unit. We desperately need a generator to be able to continuously supply oxygen to the oxygen-dependent patients. If you can assist with any of the items or would like to make a general donation, kindly contact us on 010 442 5059 or via email at tersia@steppingstonehospice.co.za,” she said.
