Parents & families

When your child is diagnosed with kidney disease the world can seem a confusing and frightening place. At a time when you may already be feeling tired and in shock you have to try to make sense of lots of information, interact with a team of professionals, look after your child, have time for your other children and still deal with a whole range of commitments which are part of life, such as work and finances.

• you may feel isolated, bewildered and confused
• you may not be able to stop worrying or crying
• you may wonder if you have done something to cause your child’s condition
• you may question if you could have prevented it
• you may feel others are judging you.

You are not alone

Lots of parents tell us they go through a very wide range of feelings and thoughts. 

What you are dealing with is huge

No-one expects their child will have a serious illness.

You never think this is going to happen to you

You take your child’s health for granted. 

You are also not alone in the day to day management of your child’s condition and treatment – every member of the hospital team are here to help you and support you every step of the way.

 Have a look here to see who is in the team and what they do.

Anyone in the hospital team will listen to your questions and help you find the information you need.  If they don’t know the answer they will find someone who does.

Other parents are also a good source of support

Your questions are important no matter how unimportant you may think they are – it’s always better to ask than to worry over something.

If you are looking for support on-line, see other pages on this website:

• National patient support groups
• Support groups relating to specific conditions
• Our own EMEESY patient information