“Gigi took her Iggle Piggle toy with her for surgery and, when she returned, Iggle Piggle also had bandages – just like her. It was the sweetest!” she adds.
Following this surgery, Gigi couldn’t use either of her hands to play or eat. “But having amazing resources on the ward, as well as the sensory room and play therapist on hand with toys was amazing,” Emily says.
“Travelling up from Devon was made so much easier with the option of staying at the hospital’s family accommodation too.”
During COVID-19, the family have had to re-dress and bandage Gigi’s hands at home.
“The nurses talked me through how to do this and gave me the self-belief I needed at the time to do an amazing job.”
Right now, Gigi is fit and healthy and awaiting her next surgery at home.
"She has recovered so well and loves playing her little piano and reading story books now her hands and fingers are fixed!"
This January, Emily and a team of her friends will be taking on Running off Christmas throughout January.
“I decided to sign up for Running off Christmas as a way to say thank you to the team at GOSH. They’ve undoubtedly already changed Gigi’s life, as she now has full mobility of her hands and can play!” Emily says.
“I plan to run around three miles, three times a week, although I am hoping to see if I can exceed the 31 miles over the month.”