Bear Cottage
Bear Cottage is the first children’s hospice in NSW, a place where children and young people with terminal illnesses and their families can stay from time to time and receive rest and medical care in a homelike environment.
Bear Cottage at Manly Bear Cottage is located on a beautiful sheltered site in the grounds of St Patrick’s Estate Manly, providing quiet surroundings and the nearby attractions of one of Sydney’s traditional holiday destinations. In addition to the palliative care facilities for children, Bear Cottage contains the amenities of a home with 10 children’s bedrooms, family accommodation and recreation areas including a spa room, multi-sensory room, teens’ room and quiet room.
The role of a children’s hospice Hospices enhance the quality of life of patients with life-limiting illnesses and ensure the time remaining for patients and their families is as rewarding and relaxing as possible. The needs of a child with a life-limiting illness are different to those of an adult. The emphasis is on family care and respite. As a children’s hospice, Bear Cottage differs from places such as Ronald McDonald House, which provides much needed accommodation near a children’s hospital for families whose children are being treated but does not provide nursing or palliative care.
Bear Cottage is staffed around the clock by a skilled care team including nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, visiting medical staff and other relevant professionals, to provide palliative care for sick children, while their families have a break. A state-wide service Although Bear Cottage is owned and operated by The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, its services are available to families from anywhere in NSW. Who has helped so far? Thank you to our community and corporate supporters who have raised over $10 million for the establishment of Bear Cottage. Major donors include Clubs NSW, Radio 2UE, various Rotary and Lions Clubs, The Friends of Bear Cottage, Salomon Smith Barney, American Women of Sydney, Manly Chamber of Commerce and the Bear Cottage Volunteer Fundraising Committee.
In August 1999, at the age of three, our daughter Courtney was diagnosed with multiple tumours in her brain and spine. Her prognosis was not good, so when Bear Cottage was suggested to us by Courtney’s oncologist, we booked in for a week’s break. Living with a terminally ill child and the constant care, attention and medications they need can become physically and emotionally draining. However, compared with most families in our situation we were able to talk and laugh with Courtney and for most of the time she was able to get around by herself. We really only stopped feeling sorry for ourselves after we came to Bear Cottage and saw what other families have to endure.
Courtney and her brother and sister were totally spoiled and enjoyed ever minute of it. We were able to go out for dinner for the first time in eighteen months. Our one week holiday was extended to two as none of us wanted to leave. A short time after our first stay, Courtney took a turn for the worse and was taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead where she was placed on life support.
Three days later when the breathing apparatus was removed, she breathed by herself and was soon able to talk to us. At Courtney’s request, she was transferred to Bear Cottage where it was such a relief to be among the friendly faces which she knew. Sadly, this was only for a couple of days, but when she became ill on the night she died, Bear Cottage was where she wanted to be. Courtney died in our arms that night after having her extreme pain brought under control by the staff. For two or three days after her death, we stayed at Bear Cottage with her. It was of tremendous benefit to be able to say our goodbyes and to be with her whenever we felt the need. It is of great comfort to know that other families who are yet to visit Bear Cottage will no doubt receive the same comfort and support as we did.
Bear Cottage depends on you Bear Cottage not only affirms the quality of life of our sickest children, it also affirms the quality of life of their families. With operating costs around $1.5 million each year, we need your continuing support to run Bear Cottage. When people decide to leave a gift in their Will to Bear Cottage they are probably making one of the most significant and generous gifts of their whole life.
The very special work of caring for children with life limiting illnesses and their families at Bear Cottage depends entirely on voluntary donations and bequests. Fortunately there seems to be a trend for people to arrange in their estate planning for a bequest to go to their chosen charity (or charities).
A bequest is the kind of gift that can continue to make a real difference well beyond the lifetime of the giver, and in one sense is like a living memorial to the giver. After providing for your loved ones, a bequest is an opportunity to give something special. For more information about leaving a bequest to Bear Cottage or The Children's Hospital at Westmead please contact Lindsay McKeon on (02) 9845 3463.