When eight-month-old Luca Stephens from Westcliff-on-Sea suddenly became critically unwell in July 2025, his parents, Hannah and Robbie Stephens, were thrust into a terrifying medical emergency that no family should ever face. What began as a routine visit to the Accident and Emergency department at Southend Hospital quickly spiralled into a life-threatening situation for their infant son.
A Rapid Descent into Critical Care
Initially admitted to the children's ward at Southend Hospital, Luca was placed on an Optiflow breathing assistance machine as medical staff inserted cannulas into his tiny hands and monitored him throughout the night. Despite these interventions, his condition deteriorated alarmingly as the hours passed, with his breathing becoming increasingly shallow and laboured.
Faced with this worsening crisis, doctors made the difficult decision to sedate and ventilate the infant before arranging an emergency ambulance transfer to the specialist Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. "Watching your baby drift off to sleep, not knowing if he will wake up, is something no parent should ever have to experience," Hannah Stephens recalled of that traumatic moment. "My heart completely sank, but we knew the doctors had to do everything they could to save him."
The Terrifying Journey to London
With blue lights illuminating the night roads, Hannah and Robbie followed the ambulance carrying their unconscious son to London, praying desperately for his survival during the tense journey. Upon arrival at The Royal London Hospital, Luca was immediately taken into the intensive care unit where he was surrounded by medical equipment, with his tiny chest rising and falling rhythmically with the assistance of a ventilator.
"Seeing him like that was unbearable," Hannah confessed. "All I wanted to do was scoop him up and tell him how loved he was, but we could only watch helplessly as the machines kept him alive." The family had been caught completely unprepared by the suddenness of the crisis, arriving at the London hospital with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, exhausted and terrified about what the future might hold for their son.
A Vital Sanctuary in Crisis
It was at this lowest point that a hospital nurse told the distressed parents about Stevenson House, a 'Home from Home' facility operated by The Sick Children's Trust charity located just minutes from the paediatric intensive care unit. This remarkable organisation provides completely free accommodation for families with seriously ill children in hospital, removing the additional burdens of travel costs, accommodation expenses and logistical worries during medical crises.
"We had never even heard of The Sick Children's Trust before," Hannah acknowledged, "but being given a room at Stevenson House felt like the most meaningful gift at the hardest point of our lives." The family stayed at this sanctuary throughout Luca's intensive care treatment, finding that having a quiet, safe place to shower, change clothes and gather their thoughts made an immeasurable difference during their ordeal.
The Practical Lifeline for Distraught Parents
Living approximately an hour away from The Royal London Hospital in Westcliff-on-Sea, the Stephens family faced significant practical challenges in remaining close to their critically ill son. "Without Stevenson House, staying close to Luca would have been fraught with difficulties," Hannah explained. "We would have had to borrow money, stay in a hotel we couldn't afford, or sleep in the waiting room. The Sick Children's Trust took away that worry when we could barely think straight."
Although sleep remained elusive during this traumatic period, having this dedicated accommodation meant the parents could be fully present for their son when he needed them most. "It sounds small," Hannah reflected, "but when your world has been turned upside down, it means everything. Knowing we had somewhere to rest meant we could be fully present for Luca."
Recovery and Gratitude
After four days of intensive treatment at The Royal London Hospital, Luca's condition improved sufficiently for him to be transferred back to Southend Hospital before eventually returning home to Westcliff. Medical professionals later confirmed he had contracted rhinovirus, which developed into bronchitis and caused his severe breathing difficulties.
Today, Luca has made a full recovery and is thriving as a bright, curious one-year-old with a cheeky smile and enthusiasm for exploring his surroundings. "The Sick Children's Trust gave us more than a place to stay," Hannah emphasised with gratitude. "They gave us comfort, strength and peace of mind when we needed it most. They allowed us to stay close to our son when he needed us by his side."
Before leaving Stevenson House, the family made a donation and purchased charity wristbands to help raise awareness about the organisation's vital work. "I still wear my blue wristband every day," Hannah revealed. "It reminds me of the kindness that carried us through the hardest days of our lives and the incredible support available to families facing similar medical crises with their children."
