While most of Wagga is racing around getting last-minute gifts, and lining up for seafood and turkeys, some are spending the festive season in the hospital.
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Wagga Base Hospital’s Paediatric and Adolescent ward has been decked out with plenty of Christmas decorations to lift the spirits of their patients.
Alyssa Johnston, with her three and a half-month-old baby Parker, said he has been unwell leaving them no choice but to check into the hospital.
“We also have two little girls so we are taking gate-leave tomorrow to spend Christmas,” she said.
“We are having breakfast together and then on to the nans and pops.”
Ms Johnston said Parker has been doing better and they are looking forward to going home for a bit.
Harrison Cowen, 14, ended up in hospital last Friday so spent the leadup to Christmas Day a bit differently.
“I was on a motorbike and had stopped and my cousin was driving a buggy and didn’t see me so I was run over,” he said.
“I broke my shoulder and collarbone, dislocated and tore a tendon in my knee.
“The recovery is up to 10 weeks, a long time.”
When asked how spending the days in hospital rather than as part of the Christmas rush, Harrison joked it was “a bit different”.
“Normally I would be riding motorbikes, swimming and that,” he said.
Harrison said it was a bit late to use the accident as a persuasion method for the presents he wanted.
“The hospital gave me a Santa hat and they’re pretty good here,” he said.
His mother Jodie said they are looking forward to getting home.
“I have a daughter is in Temora with our mum and dad,” he said.
“We are hoping to get today before Christmas tomorrow so fingers crossed.”
Rosalie Daniel, a clinical nurse specialist, said the nursing staff do as much as possible to bring the Christmas spirit into the ward.
"For teenagers, we make sure to have games appropriate for their age and we look for gifts that would make them happy,” she said.
“We try to get them out of the bed if possible and share some stories to cheer them up. We always make sure to make the wards beautiful for our families, but it’s extra special at the moment to be festive and bright.”
Ms Daniel wishes Wagga a merry and safe Christmas.
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Annie Lewis
Have a tip? Email me at a.lewis@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Have a tip? Email me at a.lewis@austcommunitymedia.com.au
