Bethel - Oh, you colourful Christmas season

Leonie shakes a bottle of red glitter vigorously. Sparkling dots trickle down onto the Christmas bauble, which the six-year-old girl has previously painted a rich dark blue colour. When she has finished, Leonie's bauble for the Christmas tree shines bright red. Only her little fingers are still blue. "Anyone who leaves this room without colour and glitter has done something wrong," explains occupational therapist Svenja Alf with a smile.

Occupational therapy at the Children's Centre Bethel allows young patients to escape their illness. Pain or fears are forgotten for a while. With creativity and imagination, the children can create whatever they want. Her mum Sonja Paschkowski knows that occupational therapy is Leonie's favourite thing. Her daughter would prefer not to leave the colourful room at all. Kneading, crafting or painting - she enthusiastically takes part in everything. Leonie's mum is touched to see her little girl cheerful again so close to Christmas, as the family is going through a difficult time.

It all started in November last year: Leonie suffered from daily headaches that got worse and worse, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. At first, Sonja Paschkowski only suspected an infection. "That's nothing unusual in winter. I also considered migraines," recalls the mother of three. Then suddenly the world came to a standstill. The diagnosis was: "Brain tumour!" It was a huge shock for the whole family. There was no time to process the terrible news, as the tumour was already the size of a tennis ball and metastases had formed in the spinal canal. "The Bethel Hospital was the only option for us," says Sonja Paschkowski.

This was followed by operations and chemotherapy. There were setbacks, but the brave girl with the alert eyes fought her way back to life bit by bit. Leonie had to relearn many things, such as walking and speaking. But she never lost her courage and made rapid progress. "Her parents gave her a lot of support and encouragement. Without them, Leonie wouldn't be where she is today," says Bethel occupational therapist Svenja Alf. When the girl's hair fell out as a result of the chemotherapy, her mother quickly shaved her head bald too. Her grandparents also shaved off their hair. The family bond is strong. Even Leonie's eight-year-old brother and four-year-old sister understood that mum or dad often had to be at the hospital with Leonie instead of at home, reports Sonja Paschkowski. She and her husband got talking to other mums and dads at the parents' café. "That helped us a lot and gave us strength. At times, we really didn't know how to deal with the illness and the setbacks," she says honestly.

Her daughter still has to go to the Children's Centre Bethel for regular check-ups and chemotherapy. Leonie looks forward to going to the hospital every time because everyone is so kind to her and takes good care of her. "Recently, an appointment had to be cancelled because she had a cold. She was very sad and even cried," says Sonja Paschkowski. At the top of Leonie's Christmas wish list this year is a toy hospital so that she can accompany the nurses in the corridors and take part in everyday hospital life whenever she wants. It's a good thing her parents have a good connection to the Christ Child. The present is already wrapped.

 

Text: Christina Heitkämper | Photos: Sarah Jonek

This story simply told

Leonie loves doing arts and crafts and painting in the occupational therapy sessions at the Children's Centre Bethel. She was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year, but Leonie has fought bravely against it. She still has to go to hospital for examinations and therapies, but she looks forward to it because everyone there is so kind to her.

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    Children's Centre Bethel
    Grenzweg 10
    33617 Bielefeld

    0521 772-705

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    The Children's Centre at the Evangelical hospital Bethel (EvKB) covers the entire spectrum for young patients aged 0 to 18 years. Whether illness or injury, acute or chronic, physical (somatic) or psychiatric - the EvKB offers the right individual treatment concept for all medical requirements with its outpatient, day-care and inpatient services.

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