3 September 2026
“From That Moment”: A Family’s Story of Care, Resilience, and Support at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice
Muna and Ridwan’s journey began with what they describe as “every parent’s worst nightmare”: a sudden, life-changing medical crisis that reshaped their family’s world. Today, with the support of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, they are learning to navigate life with greater confidence, connection, and moments of joy that once felt out of reach. Their three-year-old son, Hudayfa, lives with Hypoxic-ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE), a severe brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation to the brain. He is non-verbal and non-mobile, and requires complex, ongoing care. Alongside him, Muna and Ridwan are also raising their two-year-old daughter, Hayfa, as they balance intensive medical needs, emotional strain, and the everyday demands of family life.
Since June 2024, Noah’s Ark has been supporting the family through Music Therapy, Specialist Play, short breaks (respite care) stays, family activities, and access to the hospice’s holiday lodge. Their experience highlights not only the clinical and therapeutic value of hospice care, but also its emotional and practical impact on everyday family life.
A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Hudayfa’s condition emerged after a severe medical emergency at just ten months old. His parents recall the shock of receiving the diagnosis while he was still critically unwell in hospital.
Ridwan describes it as a moment where “everything we expected about normal life was turned upside down.” The milestones parents usually look forward to; first words, first steps, early communication, were suddenly replaced with uncertainty and adaptation.
For Muna, the emotional weight was immediate and profound. “No one expects their child to change overnight,” she reflects. “The biggest change was that he stopped doing the things we thought were just part of growing up.” The arrival of their daughter during this period added another layer of complexity, with the family navigating neonatal care, recovery, and early parenthood simultaneously.
Learning What Hospice Care Really Means
Before their journey with Noah’s Ark, the family associated the word “hospice” with end-of-life care for older adults. That perception quickly changed. Ridwan explains that meeting their Family Link Worker transformed their understanding entirely. “We were given leaflets and information, but when someone sits with you and explains it face to face, it becomes real. It becomes support.”
From that moment, Noah’s Ark became part of their extended support network. The hospice provided early access to music therapy even while Hudayfa was still in hospital, helping the family begin to understand what holistic care could look like beyond medical treatment alone.
The Power of Music Therapy and Specialist Care
One of the most meaningful parts of Hudayfa’s care journey has been music therapy. His parents describe it as one of the few interventions that brings visible, immediate change. Muna shares that they discovered things about their son they had never known. “We realised he loves high tones and long tones. We saw him smile and laugh again during sessions. That was something we hadn’t seen since his injury.”
For a child with complex neurological needs, these responses are deeply significant. Ridwan explains that music and sensory input help relax his muscle tone and ease symptoms associated with Dystonia, a condition that affects muscle control and movement. “He responds to rhythm, sound, and vibration in a way that calms his body,” he says. “It gives him moments of comfort that are hard to achieve elsewhere.”
Hydrotherapy sessions provide similar benefits, offering a controlled, safe environment where sensory stimulation supports relaxation and physical wellbeing. The family describes these sessions not as activities, but as essential therapeutic experiences tailored to their son’s needs.
A Place Designed for Children with Complex Needs
A recurring theme in the family’s experience is safety and accessibility, something they say is difficult to find in everyday life.
Ridwan explains that ordinary public spaces often feel overwhelming or unsuitable. “You can’t just take a child with complex needs to a public pool or park and expect it to work. There are too many risks, too many barriers.”
At Noah’s Ark, however, everything is designed with those challenges in mind. Specialist staff, medical equipment, and adapted environments allow children like Hudayfa to experience activities safely. The family also highlights the importance of sensory spaces, quiet gardens, and accessible play areas. These environments reduce sensory overload while encouraging exploration and engagement in ways that feel safe and meaningful for their son.
Support for the Whole Family
While much of the care focuses on Hudayfa, Noah’s Ark supports the entire family unit including siblings. Their daughter, Hayfa, can participate in activities, explore play spaces, and feel included in the hospice environment. “It’s not just for one child,” Muna says. “It’s for all of us.”
This inclusion is especially important for families managing complex medical conditions at home, where attention is often understandably focused on the child with additional needs. Ridwan adds that the hospice helps create a sense of normality for siblings, ensuring they are not left out of shared experiences.
Short Breaks and the Holiday Lodge
One of the most transformative aspects of support for the family has been short breaks, including stays at Noah’s Ark’s holiday lodge. Muna describes the experience as life changing. “When you’re a parent of a child with special needs, you think about everything before you go anywhere, ramps, showers, beds, equipment. At the lodge, all of that is already there.”
The holiday lodge removes logistical stress and allows families to simply focus on spending time together. It provides accessible accommodation and a safe environment adapted for children with medical needs. For the family, this meant something rare: a holiday where they did not have to compromise care or safety.
Short breaks also offer parents essential rest. Ridwan explains that being able to leave their son in trusted care allows them to recover emotionally and physically, enabling them to return more present and energised. “It helps you reset,” he says. “So, when you come back to your child, you’re not exhausted, you’re ready.”
Emotional Support and Community
Beyond practical care, the family emphasises the emotional value of being part of a wider community. At Noah’s Ark, they meet other families navigating similar experiences. This shared understanding helps reduce isolation and creates opportunities for peer support. Ridwan describes the hospice as “an extended family,” where staff and families form meaningful connections built on empathy and understanding. For parents who often feel alone in their journey, this sense of belonging is invaluable.
Why Charitable Support Matters
When asked about supporting Noah’s Ark’s ‘From That Moment’ fundraising campaign, both parents are clear about its importance. Ridwan explains that donations directly enable children with severe and complex needs to access life-enhancing care, therapies, and respite services. “It helps children who need extra support to have a place where they are understood and cared for.”
Muna adds that even small contributions make a meaningful difference. “Every bit helps. It supports families like ours and ensures more children can experience what Noah’s Ark offers.” They both stress that without organisations like Noah’s Ark, many families would struggle to access the specialist care and emotional support they rely on.
A Lifeline for Families
Looking back on their journey, the family describes Noah’s Ark not just as a service, but as a lifeline. It is a place where their son can experience comfort, stimulation, and joy. It is a place where their daughter is included and valued. And it is a place where they, as parents, are supported, understood, and given space to breathe. As Ridwan puts it, “It’s not just care for a child. It’s care for a whole family going through something incredibly difficult.”
For Muna and Ridwan, that support has changed how they move through each day, not by removing challenges, but by ensuring they don’t face them alone.
Hudayfa's story is a powerful reminder that everything can change in a moment. Through our From That Moment campaign, we're standing alongside families when they need us most, but we can't do it without you.
Join our campaign today and help us meet our goal of raising £1million. Donate, fundraise or lend your support to help ensure more families receive the expert care and compassionate support they deserve. Visit the From That Moment page on our website to find out how you can make a life-changing difference.
