Testimonials

"I just wanted to say thank you again for the fabulous fibre optic resources - they have been so well received and much appreciated by the children and families on the ward. I hung one of the strands in our treatment room on Friday, and that afternoon, one of the children found it great to focus on while he was having a blood test (as did his parents!). I have hung a couple of them up in the children's rooms, and they just love them, especially at night! So thank you very much - your generosity has been appreciated by so many!"
- Sarah Moore, Hospital Play Specialist - Ward 26A, Starship Children's Health

Lights Brighten Brandon's Life

- stuff.co.nz

A generous donation has helped to light up the lives of special needs children.

Twelve-year-old Brandon Taylor has spent much of the year at Starship children's hospital, where his mother Tracy noticed the special fibre optic lights in the treatment rooms.

The lights are used to help stimulate children with severe disabilities and can have a calming effect during medical treatment. Ms Taylor thought the lights would benefit Brandon at home so she approached Mike Brunt from Specialized Lighting Concepts in East Tamaki to ask about the cost.

She was "blown away" when the Howick resident offered the expensive lights to her free of charge, and hand-delivered them to her Panmure home in a beautifully decorated box.

Ms Taylor says she was "overwhelmed" by Mr Brunt's generosity. Brandon has had special needs since a near-drowning accident when he was 17 months old. Having the lights is a tool to keep him stimulated, Ms Taylor says.

Brandon attends Sommerville Special School where the lighting is used to help special needs students. Itinerant teacher Donna Ryan says the school has a room set up with fibre optic lighting to help teach children to track objects with their eyes.

It helps to engage them by the movement and sensation and can calm upset or anxious students, she says. The lights will be "incredibly valuable" to Brandon to help keep him engaged and focused, she says. "It was a huge pick-me-up for Tracy in a challenging year. It's a gift from the heavens which will keep on giving," Ms Ryan says. Mr Brunt says meeting Brandon and an incredibly thankful Ms Taylor was "heart-touching". "It's great to know it brings light to their life." "I couldn't charge them - I told them to let me know what they need and we'll get something spectacular done."

As part of a refurbishment at the hospital due to start next year Mr Brunt will be part of a team to add lights to specially-designed rooms.