PETER Walker started this year facing every parent's worst nightmare.

 

But he is hoping to turn his triple tragedy into a lifeline for others.

Peter's 11-year-old son Stephen died on New Year's day, nearly three years after the death of his wife Charlie.

The Castlemilk man suffered another devastating loss last year when his 31-year-old daughter Charlene died, but the caring dad turned to Stephen to give him strength.

Peter, 52, now hopes to turn his grief into support for other parents of disabled children who may die at a young age.

Stephen was born at just 26-weeks with chronic lung disease and cerebral palsy but had battled bravely throughout his life, supported by his dedicated parents Peter and Charlie.

The youngster, who was a pupil at Hampden Primary School, was a familiar face in Yorkhill hospital and was well-known by all the staff.

Towards the end of his life he also got to know staff at Robin House, a dedicated children's hospice in Balloch.

Peter said: "When Stephen was born we got told he wouldn't have a normal lifespan but they couldn't give us any life expectancy.

"Two years ago they thought he might have passed away as he had to be resuscitated.

"I had visions of him here when he was 35 though, I had it all mapped out for him... going through school, going into a centre when he was 21.

"I had expectations for a longer life span than he had, but the support from everyone has been absolutely tremendous."

Peter struggled to cope at first following the death of his wife Charlie, who had a sudden double stroke in 2012.

As reported in the Evening Times, the 41-year-old mother-of-one helped to save lives even after her death by opting to become an organ donor.

Peter, who was 49 at the time, found strength to carry on for his young son who could not walk or talk.

He depended on his dad for everything, including washing feeding and dressing.

Peter said: "I dealt with it all because of Stephen - he has made me the parent I am and he has made me strong.

"After losing my wife and then my daughter Charlene I spoke to Stephen and he gave me inspiration and hope to be the person I am.

"I knew I still had him and he kept me going, he needed me to be strong.

"But I knew within six months he was going to pass away at some point, I could just tell."

Stephen developed a chest infection in late December last year, and was admitted to Yorkhill after a stay at Robin House on December 29.

As Peter lay beside him in his hospital bed, he explained what might happen to his young son.

"I told him he was going to be with his mummy, I explained it all to him." said Peter.

"People thought because he had a disability he didn't have a brain but he knew everything.

"He understood what was happening.

"For a parent, it just happened the way you'd want it to.

"He was on a lot of medicine though to take the pain away but he was so relaxed and not in any pain anymore.

"He died at 1.45pm on New Year's day.

"I know it's strange, being happy, but I didn't want him to suffer anymore.

"He had suffered a lot the last five months, he had had too much.

"The hard part for Stephen was giving up the fight.

"All I said to him since he was born was just keep fighting and I'd everything for him.

"Telling him to stop fighting must have been hard for Stephen, wondering why his daddy was telling him that."

Now Peter hopes to help at Hampden school where he was the chairman of the parent's association.

But his main goal is to work with parents of disabled children and help them with any issues they may be struggling with, including the possibility of losing a child.

Peter said: "Mentally, this is nothing for me compared to how much he went through and how much he fought throughout his life.

"I'm hoping somewhere along the line I can bring the knowledge of what I went through to other parents.

"I really want to help other parents and help out at the school too.

"The main thing I want to do is help other parents try to understand the journey they have to go through.

"Parents have to be strong always for their children, but it's finding the ability to do that ... It can be really hard but I hope I can help."

hannah.rodger@eveningtimes.co.uk