Gabrielle jane Lawrence was born on the 01/04/2002. She was born with Hemimegalencephaly on the left side of her brain. A rare neurological condition in which one-half of the brain is abnormally larger than the other and causes severe seizures. With other diagnosis being Epilepsy, Severe learning difficulties, Scoliosis and having to be fed through a gastrostomy. As a result of all her complications she was unable to walk, talk or swallow and keep down food. But despite all her difficulties she was one of the happiest little girls and was still able to interact and communicate in her own little way. Today would of been her big 18th birthday. I really wanted to do something big in memory for her and therefore after speaking to members of the Julia's house team I have signed up to take part in the big jump. Sadly I can't do much today or spend it with family due to lockdown. However In exactly four months I will be taking part in a skydive from 13,000 ft, I wanted to be able to raise as much money towards a cause that has played a huge part in both mine and Gabrielle's life.  

Please take the time to read my personal story about Julia's house: 

Julia's house is not a typical children's hospice, They provide practical and emotional support for families caring for a child with life-limiting or life threatening conditions, providing frequent and regular support, in their own homes, in the community or at the hospice. 

Gabrielle was always so excited when we dropped her off at Julia's house, she would spend the day taking part in many activities e.g. enjoying messy play, using their sensory room and even baking. Leaving Gabrielle with a team of people we knew and trust made our time away from her less of a worry, we always knew she was safe and would have the best time. Some weekends the nurses would come for day visits at the house and she enjoyed their company in our own home.  

Mum's life revolved around the love and care for Gabrielle, from the moment she woke up to the moment she went to bed. when a child is seriously ill you just don’t get those breaks when you can be together. All the focus is on keeping her safe and alive. Mum gave her everything to give my sister the best quality of life. When Gabrielle would go to respite it allowed mum to have a break and me and my sister Carly to have time with her and enjoy family trips and days out. With mainly our time going to do some shopping, going to the beach, cinema etc. 

Me and my sister Carly took part in many sibling trips, where we shared days out and weekends away with other siblings who are in the same position as us. Our favourite was a few nights up in Wales, we learnt how to start a fire, build a shelter and other outdoor survival bits. we took part in archery, went gorge walking and played many indoor and outdoor games. We also had sleepovers at the hospice, went ice skating and went to Thorpe park. Through these trips we created so many amazing friendships and memories. I've also managed to persuade one of the amazing sibling workers to take part in the jump with me!

Gabrielle has always been my little fighter, after 15 years of fighting she grew her wings on the 23rd January 2018. The one wish mum had was for her not to be in a morgue. Therefore we got in contact with Julia's house, where they laid her to rest up until her funeral in their mermaid suite. A beautiful room with access to a small garden for us to spend our final days with my little sister. They made us dinner the night before the funeral and even donated £1000 towards the funeral costs to help take the financial pressure away. 

The help and support has never stopped, the Julia's house team still check up on us to this day. It’s been a difficult two years without her, but this year and on her very special birthday she will have our mummy to celebrate once again beside her. Our mummy grew her angel wings just 20 months later in September 2019. Still suffering the painful loss of both my mum and sister, I couldn’t ever imagine being my mum and losing a child she cared for day in and out for just under 16 years. Her lifestyle, her job, our family home and most importantly her little girl, went the day the angels took Gabrielle. it is one of the most unimaginable and traumatic things to live through and therefore a broken heart is what took my mummy away. 

The last day I ever got with my mum we spent at Julia's house before she passed, we spent it there for a remembrance day with other families that have gone through like we having losing a loved one. We spent the day making arts and crafts, eating scones and cake and mainly remembering the happy times we all shared with Gabrielle. Some of the nurses attended my mum's funeral, made us dinner the night before and have really helped us cope through the hardest of days and we honestly can't thank them enough.