A BEREAVED Rugby mum who lost her ‘beautiful’ three-year-old daughter last year has become a trustee at the Coventry hospice which cared for her.
Lois Zapasnik’s daughter Elsa suffered from a rare genetic mutation which created profound disabilities and ended her life too soon.
In a fitting tribute, Lois has become a trustee at Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice – which did much for her family in their time of need – to help other children and families like hers.
Lois, a solicitor at Leamington-based law firm Blythe Liggins where she is known by her maiden name Harrison, said: “We lost our beautiful daughter Elsa last summer.
“She was an incredibly special little girl who touched so many lives and we are beyond proud of our little fighter.
“Zoe’s Place provided us with huge support in many ways. The amazing team looked after Elsa for respite overnight stays, which gave us a chance to catch up on some much-needed sleep.
“She also had the best time at Zoe’s Place, taking part in activities that would not have been accessible to her anywhere else.”
Lois said she wanted to do something to thank the hospice and to help other families like hers – and is now the first bereaved parent trustee at Zoe’s Place.
She added: “The team at Zoe’s Place became an extension of our family and treated Elsa like their own.
“Their help was huge to us, so I hope I can help raise funds, and the profile, of Zoe’s Place, so more families like ours can benefit from their incredible work.”
Zoe’s Place, which also has baby hospices in Liverpool and Middlesbrough, cares for babies and young children with life-limiting, life-threatening or complex conditions.
It is a registered charity which provides all of its care free of charge to families who need it, and relies on the fund-raising activities of friends, communities and businesses.
Visit zoes-place.org.uk for more information.
