Nurses’ ‘brilliant’ care is not forgotten

Seventeen-year-old Ryan Arak’s epilepsy has taken a turn for the worse in recent years, meaning he repeatedly suffers both epileptic seizures and those that are non-epileptic but related to stress.

The youngster, who has learning difficulties, has stopped breathing on a number of occasions and has had to be regularly admitted to the MacGregor ward at Warwick Hospital and to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

His mum Harj Arak, who herself has a congenital dislocation of the hips, said: “Ryan has a lot of behavioural issues but the nurses on the MacGregor ward are really good with him.

“He is very anti-hospital, but the nurses cope so well, despite his mood swings.

“Without their absolutely brilliant attitude, we could not have got through it.”

Mrs Arak and her other son Manpreet, who both work part-time, care for Ryan when he is not at his residential school in Hertfordshire.

Last month Manpreet, 21, organised a football match and barbecue for the second year running, from which he raised £1,400, £500 of which the family donated to the MacGregor ward, while the rest was handed to Birmingham Children’s Hospital and the school Ryan attends.

Mrs Arak and Manpreet plan to organise a match every year and are trying to organise a charity bhangra night, for which they are looking for sponsorship. Anyone who can help should call 07581 033530 or email [email protected]