Maia became poorly during the Covid pandemic. She had an unexplained inflammation of her spinal cord, diagnosed as Transverse Myelitis which resulted in her needing a wheelchair.
Feeling lonely
“I was in hospital at the Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, for three months and because it was during the lockdown there were restrictions on visiting. I couldn’t see both my parents at the same time or my extended family at all. I felt really lonely and isolated,” explained Maia.
Then, just 13 years of age, Maia lost a year of school due to her illness, which meant she fell behind with her education, as well as missing out on valuable time with her friends.
Whilst in hospital a youth worker from NUH Youth Service, Sian, visited Maia on the ward and invited her to come along to the youth club.
“Going to the youth club made me feel like there was a community out there and I wasn’t on my own.
“It was the first time I’d socialised with other people after my injury and helped me realise that everything’s going to be fine.”
But Maia’s treatment has not been plain sailing, having to undergo a plasma exchange as part of her treatment to ‘clean’ her blood and ensure her organs were protected from further damage from the virus (which affected the use of her legs). She also had to go to London for three months of intensive rehabilitation.
Fun activities
The opportunity to join in with fun activities whilst accessing the support of trained youth workers helped Maia feel more in control of her health and treatment at the hospital.
“No matter what health condition you’ve got there’s always somebody there who will understand. If you need help with an appointment or you didn’t quite understand what a doctor meant, a youth worker can always explain or help you get the answers you need.”
Two years down the track and Maia is back at school and having tutoring to catch up on her education. She attends the youth club every Wednesday and has all the youth workers phone numbers, so she can call them at any time she needs support.
As well as going to the regular youth club, Maia now also participates in trips, for example to the bowling alley and board games café in Nottingham.
“The support of the youth service at the hospital has given me opportunities to socialise and get back to an ordinary life. I’m also more confident about going to hospital appointments,” said Maia.
New friend
One of the highlights of her journey through youth work has been attending a meeting of children’s doctors in London to share her experience of being a young patient along with her new friend from youth club, Dennis. The two gave a presentation together which has helped inform best practice about the way healthcare professionals communicate with young people about their care.
Maia said: “Having the opportunity to go and speak at the conference was very empowering. It was good to be able to give advice and feedback about how doctors communicate with young people.”
When asked how she describes the support she received to other young people Maia says: “Youth work changed my life and I think it will change yours.”
Clare Alderson, Renal Youth Development Worker, NUH Youth Service, said: “Maia has been quite chatty from the outset, but she’s quite stoic. She’s had to go through some exhausting treatment, but she doesn’t dwell on things. Our job as youth workers is just to be there whenever she’s needed that bit of support. It’s wonderful to see her enjoying herself after coming out the other side.”
