Connor's House

Her Royal Highness Kate Middleton on Children’s Respite Homes

nrudy — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:10:32 +0000

Her Royal Highness Kate Middleton is the patron of the Children’s Hospice Movement in Great Britain though the organization Together for Short Lives.

Connor’s House is attempting to bring this model of care for families of children with life-shortening conditions here to the United States. In the UK there are more than 40 houses helping these families, but in the United States we have only two. Please watch this video, see what children’s respite homes like Connor’s House is working to build do for their families, and consider getting involved by writing to nrudy@connorshouse.org.

A Video From Demelza Children’s Hospice in UK

nrudy — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:05:20 +0000

Demelza Children’s Hospice made this wonderful video with children staying at their home about what it means to have these homes in the UK. For 30 years Great Britain has been building these facilities for children with complex health care needs and life-threatening conditions, making a difference for the children and their families.

This is what we want to bring to the United States. George Mark in San Francisco and Ryan House in Phoenix are the only two operating children’s respite homes here, and we need your help to make more a reality so every family can get the support they need.

Our Services

nrudy — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:46:49 +0000

Connor’s House seeks to help families of children with complex health care needs by creating a community of support that can: assist with care coordination, promote fun, relaxing, memorable activities, provide respite care in a home-like setting, assist in management of distressing symptoms and offer meaningful support services for the entire family for as long as necessary.

Because families have needs now, we have begun providing support services for families of children with complex health care needs while we are developing the physical house. Prior to the completion of the house, support services are being provided through partnerships with other local organizations and the utilization of community-enabling technologies. If you are the parent of a child with complex health care needs and would like to learn more about how we can help please contact us at info@connorshouse.org.

Why Connor’s House?

jasonspringer — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 19:17:21 +0000

There are many families in the Mid-Atlantic region, and across the country caring for a child with complex health care needs. Caring for someone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, over many years can put an immeasurable strain upon a family. While many willingly invest love, energy and care, life often becomes governed by the relentless timetable of medical needs. Relationships can suffer, careers may have to be abandoned, healthy brothers and sisters can feel left out and regular family activities and holidays happen rarely, if ever.

The medical systems remain complex and hard to understand. There are few if any good services that help already overburdened families navigate the web of medical care, which further stresses the family and places more barriers between the child and a typical life.

Some families who have cared for their child for many years are now experiencing serious grief as they face the loss of that child. Their needs are tremendous, and many families feel afraid and alone in their grief.

Connor’s House seeks to provide respite, care coordination and support services for families facing these types of complex challenges.