Home is where the heart is

29 July 2015

Home is where the heart is

A mother is grateful for the help she received to keep her family warm and well over winter after one of her sons was diagnosed with rheumatic fever.

Mel Aspinall lives in a Johnsonville rental property with her husband and four children. Last year her eldest son Lamar was admitted to hospital with badly-swollen joints. Tests revealed he had rheumatic fever, which was affecting his heart and blood pressure.

After two weeks in hospital, Lamar returned home and his family was automatically referred to Regional Public Health nurse Tineke Snow for a free health and housing assessment, as rheumatic fever is linked to poor housing conditions and overcrowding.

“She identified that our house had no insulation, which is why my sons were getting so sick,” says Mel.

While the landlord had installed a heatpump, Tineke’s assessment also showed it was poorly placed to heat the family’s lounge and bedrooms. Thanks to DHB-funding and donations from Rotary, Tineke was able provide them with a new 2000kw convection heater and a set of new bunk beds.

“A number of families that we visit have children sharing beds and infectious diseases like rheumatic fever, as well as coughs and colds. We look for options to support families and in some circumstances are able to access funding for beds and bedding,” she says.

“We also provided Mel with a free housing pack that includes white vinegar and instructions on how to use it to clean any existing mould.”

After Lamar’s experience, Mel is always careful to get her kids’ sore throats checked and says other parents should be as well.

“I don’t hesitate now when any of my kids get a sore throat now, especially during winter.”

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