A FAMILY have praised Glasgow hospital staff for designing a storybook to help them understand and cope with their trauma.

The Adamson family were presented with the book by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) when Arlen, one, suffered a critical head injury. 

Arlen and his mother Ashton were flown in a helicopter to the Royal Hospital for Children where he had surgery to treat a bloot clot inbetween his skull and brain.  

Ashton said: “The service and care has been exceptional, Arlen wouldn’t be where he is without this. I really cannot stress how comforted we were with the care at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, even as we were coming over in the helicopter the care was terrific.

"Every step of the way, every stage, everyone was looking out for us and checking we were okay. When we were waiting to get out of the helicopter, we were told everything that would be happening."

READ MORE: Celtic Music Radio Glasgow moves into Braehead shopping centre

The storybook was given to Arlen, Ashton, dad Robbie and brothers Xander and Finn by the Major Trauma Network, to help explain what had happened and what treatment Arlen needed. 

Ashton added: “When we were asked if we would be interested in having a storybook created for Arlen, we thought it was a great idea. Not only did it help us understand the terminology and what Arlen had been going through, it helped us remember all of the names of people who did so much for us as well.

"It also helped us process what had happened, Robbie and I have personally struggled after what has gone on, having that story book is great to be able to reflect on it and remember just how far Arlen has come since it all happened. I can tell him about it in detail when he is older if he wonders what happened because it’s also told in a lighter way too.”

The team first came up with the idea when a previous patient was left unable to remember some parts of what they had gone through.

They then thought of a way they could explain things to their younger patients while also taking a personal approach for families.

Each book is personalised and is designed by NHSGGC's Medical Illustration Department.

Ashton added: “The design is great, we were able to choose our own cover, it tells Arlen’s journey and on the back has an area where we can track appointments and his development.

"It’s very personal, Finn is mentioned, Xander is mentioned too and so are Arlen’s grandparents. The staff didn’t need to put that in but that personal approach brought a tear to my eye.”

READ MORE: Glasgow cancer survivor and aspiring lawyer praises Beatson staff

Lynsay Stewart, Paediatric Major Trauma Coordinator at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow said: “Nobody prepares for a major trauma, so when it happens quite often there is a lot of anxiety and the information may be hard to process as treatment begins.

"The Major Trauma Network Storybook not only helps children understand their treatment but also helps their families digest what has happened. There also may be situations where the parent has been involved in an accident too and misses the first stages of their child’s care, as they are being treated elsewhere. So the storybook is useful for them to gain a better understanding of what happened.

“We have had great feedback from parents of the children we have given storybooks to. One said it really helped their child answer questions when they went back to school.

"The teachers allowed them to stand up and read it for an assembly and this meant the child didn’t have to keep answering loads of questions in the playground as it explained clearly what happened.

“The whole experience was extremely traumatising for Arlen and his whole family, especially as they didn't live locally, and in the middle of a pandemic, so visiting was restricted.

"Unexpected trauma admissions can often become a blur but having a storybook helps put the whole event into a timeline and often helps families come to terms with what has happened and how far they have come.”

Ashton said: “The care we received was beyond excellent, thank you will never be enough. We really don’t know how to put into words just how thankful we all are to Lynsay and the rest of the team for everything they have done."