| Location | Bromley |
| Age | 6 months |
| Cause of Death | Genetic Condition |
| Date of Birth | 31/12/2007 |
| Date of Death | 24/07/2008 |
| Visitors | 3,004 since 26/09/2008 |
| Creator |
Curtis came into the world on New Years Eve into a room full of anxious doctors and midwives and of
course two very worried parents. He wasn’t breathing at first but after a little encouragement
took his first breath and was then whisked away from us to the Special Care unit at Medway Hospital.
From that very first day he showed such determination and strength of character, he made us very
proud. We were unaware of his problems before he was born, so as the extent of his medical
condition unfolded we were very shocked and our emotions very mixed – having such a beautiful
little boy but knowing that we may not be able to keep him for very long. Medway hospital thought
he had Edwards Syndrome and told us it was a miracle he had survived birth, and that his life
expectancy was realistically no more than a couple of weeks. Curtis of course had other ideas. We
had a Blessing for him at the hospital, Penny (our local vicar) kindly came down and visited us, and
it was a lovely occasion with just close friends and family.
We were told he would never walk or talk and it took a while for us to get used to the idea, but we
accepted it. What was harder to take was that Cutis was unable to swallow, so as I cuddled him and
he naturally searched for food, I was unable to help him - his feeding had to be by a tube through
his nose. Whenever he slept I used to watch his little tongue moving as if he was sucking, he never
lost that instinct in nearly 7 months. While in hospital, at Medway and then when he was moved to
Kings and then Farnborough he had many blood tests and other needles, but he never cried. He took
everything in his stride, everyone said what a brave little boy he was, a little fighter. He would
even open his mouth to allow suction catheters in, and seemed to understand that it would help him
to breathe.
The bond we had was very strong, he knew our voices and calmed when we held him. I stayed with him
in hospital and I am very proud of the way my other boys coped without me at home and grateful to
Robbie and my mum for helping keep everything as normal as possible for them. The boys thought the
world of their little brother and visited often. We were finally allowed to bring him home just
after Easter and I remember being worried that my nursing skills wouldn’t be good enough, but with
practice and help from all the team at the Phoenix Centre we did OK, thank you everyone.
We had some lovely family times, taking Curtis to Pontins in Blackpool and to visit Robbie’s
family in Liverpool. He met all of his uncles and aunties, and it was nice that he met his Grandad
John before he sadly died very suddenly 8 weeks ago.
Wherever I went and whatever I had to do, Curtis would be in my arms. At all the school events at
the end of term, I was proud to show Curtis off and people got used to seeing us around the school,
everyone commenting on his beautiful long eyelashes. It was hard to go back in September without
him in my arms, though he will always be in my heart.
At 6 months Curtis had started to teeth and like any other baby would dribble and drool. He started
to get more knowing and sometimes push the suction catheter away. We would sometimes catch a smile,
when least expected, usually at the sound of his dad’s voice. We could see a future for him,
although different from other children, we would have made sure he didn’t miss out. Sadly though
it wasn’t meant to be and in death as in life Curtis didn’t cause any fuss, he just slipped away
in his sleep. We will always be grateful to him for the time he gave us and although we love all
our children, Curtis will always be special to us.
Such a beautiful baby boy
Fluffy clouds of pink and blue
Where fairytales and dreams come true,
Where teddy bears put on a show
In the place where little babies go.
Where a choir of angels sing on high
A peaceful, Soothing lullaby,
And their feathers flutter down like snow
In the place where little babies go.
Where the sun is shining everyday
In a heavenly sky that’s never grey,
Where love will bloom and always grow
In the place where little babies go.
Where bells will ring and hearts they soar
When a mum and dad walk through its door,
Then only tears of joy will flow
In the place where little babies go.
(sister of Doris Duncton)xx
Poems from Curtis's Funeral
Mummy and Daddy don't cry for me.
To walk the earth was not meant to be.
I'm in God's house you see.
I watch over you every day.
I know that you love me in a very special way.
You wanted me to be healthy and whole.
So you had to let me go. (Author Unknown)
Daddy, please don't look so sad,
Mummy please don't cry~
Cause I am in the arms of Jesus
and He sings me lullabies
Please, try not to question God,
Don't think he is unkind
Don't think He sent me to you,
and then He changed his mind.
You see, I am a special child,
and I'm needed up above
I'm the special gift you gave Him,
the product of your love.
I'll always be there with you
and watch the sky at night,
Find the brightest star that's gleaming,
That's my halo's brilliant light.
You'll see me in the morning frost,
that mists your window pane.
That's me in the summer showers,
I'll be dancing in the rain.
When you feel a little breeze,
from a gentle wind that blows
That's me, I'll be there,
planting a kiss on your nose.
When you see a child playing,
and your heart feels a little tug,
That's me, I'll be there,
giving your heart a hug.
So Daddy, please don't look so sad,
Mummy don't your cry.
I'm in the arms of Jesus
and He sings me lullabies.
Author~Claudette T. Allen
Dear Mummy, I just wanted to let you know
that I made it home.
The journey wasn't an easy one,
but it didn't take too long.
Everything is so pretty here,
so white, so fresh and new.
I wish that you could close your eyes
and that you could see it too.
Please try not to be sad for me...
Try to understand.
God is taking care of me...
I'm in the shelter of His hands.
Here there is no sadness,
no sorrow, and no pain.
Here there is no crying,
and I'll never hurt again.
Here it is so peaceful
when all the angels sing,
I really have to go now-
I've just got to try my wings!
They say there is a reason,
They say that time will heal,
But neither time nor reason,
Will change the way we feel,
For no-one knows the heartache,
That lies behind our smiles,
No-one knows how many times,
We have broken down and cried,
We want to tell you something,
So there won't be any doubt,
You're so wonderful to think of,
But so hard to be without.
We thought of you with love today,
but that is nothing new.
We thought about you yesterday,
and the day before that, too.
We think of you in silence,
and often speak your name.
All we have are memories,
and your picture in a frame.
Your memory is our keepsake,
with which we'll never part.
God has you in his keeping,
we have you in our hearts. (Author Unknown)
"Angel"
Tear drops, slow and steady,
The pain so real and true,
God took another angel,
And that angel, dear, was you.
Angel wings, upon the clouds,
Your body softly sleeps,
Hush now little angel,
No more tears you have to weep.
Little prayers,are sent to you,
The short life you led;
Your family will never forget you,
So rest your little head.
I know God will look after you,
Now you are truly alive,
Your spirit soars beyond the moon,
Your legacy will survive.
You’re beautiful, you’re endless,
Now stretch your wings and fly,
Your loved by so many,
It will never be goodbye.
Close your pretty eyes,
No more tears,just go and rest,
Let your soul lie peacefully,
we know you did your best.
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