Terminally ill kids reveal what gives their life meaning, and we're bawling reading them
Dr Alastair McAlpine asked some of his terminal paediatric palliative care patients what gives life meaning, and their responses prove just how wise and inspiring kids are.
Taking to Twitter, Dr McAlpine explained that he asked the question as part of an assignment, and talked to children aged between four and nine.
For an assignment, I asked some of my terminal paediatric palliative care patients what they had enjoyed in life, and what gave it meaning. Kids can be so wise, y'know. Here are some of the responses (Thread).
— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
He then shared some of their responses, noting that none said they'd wished they'd watched more TV or spent more time on Facebook.
First:
NONE said they wished they'd watched more TV
NONE said they should've spent more time on Face Book
NONE said they enjoyed fighting with others
NONE enjoyed hospital
/1— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Pets were also mentioned, as was ice cream, books, swimming and the beach.
MANY mentioned their pets:
'I love Rufus, his funny bark makes me laugh.'
'I love when Ginny snuggles up to me at night and purrs'
'I was happiest riding Jake on the beach.'
/2— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
ALL of them loved ice-cream.
/4— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
ALL of them loved books or being told stories, especially by their parents:
'Harry Potter made me feel brave.'
'I love stories in space!'
'I want to be a great detective like Sherlock Holmes when I'm better!'Folks, read to your kids! They love it. /5
— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Many of them loved swimming, and the beach.
'I made big sandcastles!'
'Being in the sea with the waves was so exciting! My eyes didn't even hurt!' /7— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Many also said they wished they had "spent less time worrying about what others thought of them, and valued people who just treated them 'normally'".
MANY wished they had spent less time worrying about what others thought of them, and valued people who just treated them 'normally'.
'My real friends didn't care when my hair fell out.'
'Jane came to visit after the surgery and didn't even notice the scar!' /6— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Family also featured, as did the importance of kindness and the ability to make them laugh.
Finally, they ALL valued time with their family. Nothing was more important.
'Mum and dad are the best!'
'My sister always hugs me tight'
'No one loves me like mummy loves me!' /11— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Almost ALL of them valued kindness above most other virtues:
'My granny is so kind to me. She always makes me smile.'
'Jonny gave me half his sandwich when I didn't eat mine. That was nice.'
'I like it when that kind nurse is here. She's gentle. And it hurts less' /8— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Almost ALL of them loved people who made them laugh:
'That magician is so silly! His pants fell down and I couldn't stop laughing!'
'My daddy pulls funny faces which I just love!'
'The boy in the next bed farted! Hahaha!'Laughter relieves pain. /9
— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
After speaking to the kids, Dr Alastair shared a "take home message" on the social media channel, and it's definitely something we are going to take on board (especially the ice cream bit!).
Take home message:
Be kind. Read more books. Spend time with your family. Crack jokes. Go to the beach. Hug your dog. Tell that special person you love them.These are the things these kids wished they could've done more. The rest is details.
Oh… and eat ice-cream. /End
— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018