Tuesday 5 March 2013

Eczema Outreach Scotland

Last year I heard of a new Scottish charity for supporting families of children with eczema. Eczema Outreach Scotland is based quite near us. It was set up by a mum of a girl with eczema who became frustrated at the lack of support available. Now, about 18 months after the charity was set up they have around 150 families on their books.

 

We joined last summer and received one of their lovely welcome packs. Younger children are given a cuddly toy along with a little set of some of the bandages that are used for eczema and some moisturiser. The theory is that to encourage the children to put their creams on they can help put them on the teddy too. Alasdair absolutely loved his teddy, and still does about 9 months later. He has called him Scratch and likes to put the bandages on him.

 

Back in November I was invited to accompany Magali, the founder, as she collected an award for the charity. We had a nice dinner at a hotel and chatted about all our experiences with eczema. A little explanation of what the award was for can be found in the latest charity newsletter here.

 

One of the things Eczema Outreach do is organise family days out every few months. These are a way for children to meet other children in a similar situation to themselves as well as for parents to support each other.

 

Last weekend one of these events took place in our town so we all went along.

There was a dance workshop for the children, which our boys politely declined, but they also had the option of joining in with the craft organised for the adults, which they did, and really enjoyed!

The craft was decoupatching boxes and here we all are hard at work. Alasdair was a bit camera shy at this point!

 

At the end of the day each family had a Polaroid photo taken of them with their boxes so that they had a nice momento to take home with them.

Alasdair was very willing to smile this time, and to show off his box that he had made entirely on his own. That's his box at the front left of the photo below.

It's such a good idea to get together with others who understand what hard work it is living with a child who suffers from eczema (or three of them!). Especially how difficult the constant sleepless nights are!

It's also really helpful to talk to other parents about different creams and medicines, distracting from scratching techniques, how to help your children cope with managing their condition at school etc.

There are a few more photos of the day on the Eczema Outreach website here.

 

And finally, my husband wrote his own account of living with eczema (he has had it since he was a small boy) on his brand new blog which I have been promising to plug for the last few weeks! You can find this here. Do pop on over and say 'hi' to him or send your other halfs over - Thanks!

 

 

4 comments:

  1. Kirsteen,
    I am glad you have a support group for eczema. Nice to encourage and share ideas!
    Nice to see your husband in blogland! I have never heard of "Ragged Schools". We have studied about George Mueller...his orphans and schools - this year, but it is very interesting to read about Thomas Guthrie.

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    1. Yes, Thomas Guthrie was our Scottish version, and his pioneering work with the poor ties very much in with the sort of work my husband does. Thanks for popping over to his blog and especially for saying hi. He has had plenty visitors but they all seem a bit shy about leaving comments!

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  2. Its nice to have support and the encouragement that there are other people who have struggled with what you have struggled with; and can share things that work etc. it helps doesn't it? I have eczema on my hands (I have never gotten it diagnosed, but feel pretty sure of it). It has bothered me mildly off and on for the last 7 or 8 years, and extremely this last year.. almost unbearable, so I can so sympathize with your children, and what they and you have gone through in trying to deal with it. I haven't had any severe infections, just some slight ones that I have been able to overcome on my own. I was reading your husband's story about his hands and felt very sympathetic with him... even though I haven't suffered with it to that degree. I am sad about my hands when they get bad like this; not only do they feel bad, but look terrible. I have tried a few things that help a little and am just this week seeing them look almost normal after several months. Elizabeth's son Winston has it as well. Since they have moved he has been doing better; they think it is the water at the new place that is better for him inside and out. Oh, Marie was able to publish a post yesterday. They have to go to a coffee shop to get internet now. The girls go together; Elizabeth watched the boys while Marie posted, and next time Elizabeth will do likewise. I just mention it, because I know the girls have missed being touch with you via blogging or Instagram (their phones didn't even work out where they are... so they are re-grouping in that way). Blessings to you all Have a great week.

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    1. Sorry to hear about your hands, Pam. It must affect everything you do - cooking, cleaning, working outside....Good to hear you have been able to manage the treatments yourself so far.

      Thanks so much for letting me know about Marie & Elizabeth. I have been thinking about them and wondering how they are getting on. Sounds like they are settling in well and having a great time though. What an amazing providence for them to get such a place.

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