“It was the first time I was able to freely look after my daughter.”
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Daisy was born over three months early whilst her parents were on holiday in Southern Spain. Lia's Wings provided expert guidance on navigating the emergency travel document process, emotional support and reassurance to Daisy's parents and flew her back to the UK so she could continue to receive neonatal care closer to home.
Fighting for every extra week
Expectant parents, Jade and Nick, had landed in Southern Spain for a short trip before their daughter arrived, when Jade’s waters broke unexpectedly at just 22 + 5 weeks of gestation. Overnight, what should have been a short stay abroad became a prolonged medical emergency.
“We were not in a tourist area, so there weren't many people who spoke good English. I was not allowed to leave the hospital and managed to keep Daisy in [utero] and growing until 27 weeks.”
With no insurance and no clear understanding of the local systems, the family felt frightened and isolated.
After five weeks of being confined to their local hospital in Jerez de la Frontera, Daisy was born over three months early via emergency C-section. Although it was an incredibly difficult time for the new parents, those five extra weeks of growing and developing will have made a huge difference to Daisy’s health and future.
Life in the NICU whilst trying to get home
Being born so early and without amniotic fluid, Daisy’s lungs did not develop properly, and she had not learned to swallow safely, so she required neonatal intensive care.
Jade and Nick suddenly found themselves navigating complex medical systems in a foreign country, relying only on their mobile phones to communicate and organise urgent documentation.
The process of securing emergency travel documents for a premature baby was overwhelming. Passport photos were rejected because Daisy’s face was not clearly visible due to the NG tubes and oxygen prongs supporting her breathing. Every step felt like another obstacle.
Reflecting on that time, Jade says:
“Without Lia’s Wings, I don't think we would have had a clue what to do.”
Guidance when it mattered most
Through expert guidance, Lia’s Wings stepped in to provide clarity and direction at a time of chaos. The charity helped the family navigate emergency travel documentation, resolve repeated photo rejections, and secure the necessary approvals. Support from Lia’s Wings’ contacts within the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office proved vital in moving the process forward. What once felt impossible slowly became achievable.
The journey home
By November, two months after Daisy was born, she was stable enough to travel. The thought of flying their tiny, vulnerable daughter home was terrifying. But our team provided support, reassuring Jade and Nick that Daisy could travel safely in our fully equipped air ambulance that resembles a mobile neonatal intensive care unit, along with our specialist medical staff.
Lia’s Wings arranged an air ambulance from Southern Spain back to the UK, ensuring the family reached their local hospital, West Suffolk Hospital, safely.
Even now, less than two years later, the day of the transfer stands out in Jade’s memory.
“Even though it’s not even been 2 years since Lia got Daisy back to the UK, I still think about how quickly the actual day went and what a smooth process the whole thing was.”
She remembers the fear she felt before boarding the small plane and the overwhelming sense of reassurance once she was inside.
“I was terrified, but everyone on the tiny plane put my mind at ease and showed my little girl and me so much care and kindness.”
For the first time since Daisy’s birth, she felt able to simply be her mum.
“It was the first time I was able to just put my hand in the incubator and freely look after my daughter. Also, the first time I was allowed to assist with feeding her. It was the first step in being able to look after Daisy properly.”
Our medical teams facilitated these special moments, enabling Jade to become the brilliant mum she is today.
Finally home
The family are clear about the role Lia’s Wings played in bringing them home.
“I tell everyone we meet that we would not have got home without Lia and the kindness, support and compassion from everyone we made contact with.”
Thanks to Lia’s Wings, Daisy was brought home safely, giving her family not only specialist transport, but something even more important: the chance to begin life together properly, back where they belonged.
Three months after being back in the UK, Daisy was finally discharged home. The parents were so relieved to be going home for good.
Ever since that first call, we’ve walked alongside Daisy and her family, celebrating each new milestone as it comes. She’s now on the move, confidently walking, and very chatty. Daisy’s parents are also continuing to support her with feeding as she grows and builds independence.
