Help support a family and child through heart surgery

Hi, my name is Kelly and this is a really difficult thing for me to do. On 17th of December last year, my daughter Gracie was admitted to hospital after having seizures and episodes where she would collapse and lose the feeling in her arms or side. It was discovered that she had a 1st degree atrioventricular block and atrial septal defect which is commonly known as a hole in her heart, however in Gracie's case, it is a large hole which meant her blood isn't pumping around her body the way it should. It was looking like we would have to spend Christmas in hospital but thankfully we made it home on the 22nd December, after Doctors had done all their tests and observations. She was told to rest completely, and we would have to return to hospital in the new year. However, before we could attend any appointment Gracie was hospitalised again on the 7th January but this time they sent her to Great Ormond Street hospital for further tests. Whilst there, they fitted Gracie with a loop recording device to her heart, which meant the hospital could monitor her heart rhythm remotely whilst waiting to have the hole repaired which should hopefully stop these episodes. We left hospital ten days later. During this time, Gracie's beloved dog also passed away, and Gracie was never able to say goodbye. Instead, she has cherished photos.

Now, as a single parent who works full time, I have another child at home who is currently doing his GCSE exams. Whilst all this is happening, I have been trying to manage going to work, as well as attending almost weekly appointments and be present for both my children. As the time has gone on the symptoms have got worse and Gracie has suffered further episodes where in some cases an ambulance has been called, or I have had to go to the school or to wherever she is, meaning I have to leave work at a moment’s notice. We are currently attending at least two appointments a week, so after a contemplating what the right thing is to do, it was decided that I would move onto a zero-hour contract to work around the appointments. This week (as I write this) we have eight appointments/meetings.

Gracie has been told she will need to have open heart surgery as the hole is too large to repair with non-invasive surgery and the tissue around the hole is too damaged. This was never what we expected and came as a complete shock.

Surgery is booked in for July and I was planning on using holiday pay to cover me whilst I was off. However, since moving to a zero hour contract, in order to manage the appointments, I am no longer entitled to holiday pay, and so any time off will have to go as unpaid. I don't know how long I will be off work for, for as Gracie could be in hospital between 1-3 weeks depending on recovery and then she will need caring for once we get home.

I am seeking help and support for everyday bills and essentials such as rent and day to day living. The things that I would ordinarily use my wages for, may know have to be used for anything Gracie made need before, during or after surgery.

This has been an incredibly tense and stressful six months and now the lack of income is just another hurdle. As a small family, I know we will get through this.

I thank you ever so much for reading my story and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for any help, support or even advice given.

Edit to add:

Thank you so much to those who have donated and sent messages ect the kindness people have shown is remarkable.

The struggle isn't just with the lack of income but the fact I am working reduced hours already and having to travel to various different places for different appointments and get Gracie all the things she may need for before during and after surgery. I have sought further advice and looking into more options. This isn't about greed but survival. I hope you can understand