Yesterday I had the privilege of photographing the last few hours of UCLH's Neonatal unit at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital on Huntley Street before they moved to their new high-tech home. My children, Umi and Sol, both received treatment in the unit in 2001 and 2003 respectively.
Returning to the hospital brought back so many memories. I recognized - and was remembered - by some of the amazing staff that work tirelessly to save the lives of babies 24/7.
It was an emotional day - to experience again this strange warren of rooms where babies born many weeks early are sustained and protected until they are strong enough to be sent home. I met Mothers who had been by their babies sides for seven months, cradling tiny doll-like limbs, hands, feet and delicately fragile heads, until little by little the babies pull through. And new mothers with their precious scraps of life encased in plastic bubbles that they gently reach to hold and caress like no other treasure. My heart goes out to them.
The Neonatal unit is a world apart - a place between spaces - where miracles really happen right alongside the most unbelievable heartbreak.
4 comments:
You can already hear the echo in that picture . . .
it was very weird ... the bed i was in with umi was in that very space - somewhat prophetically it had the words 'to be removed' written on the bar ... spooky
My baby Daphne was born on Oct 27th 09 and was in the new Neonatal wing for 5 days. Very emotional experience, the professionals working there are angels, you can feel their presence and their power....what a marvellous profession.
Thank you for capturing that.
Ariadne
My baby Daphne was born on Oct 27th 09 and was in the new Neonatal wing for 5 days. Very emotional experience, the professionals working there are angels, you can feel their presence and their power....what a marvellous profession.
Thank you for capturing that.
Ariadne
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