Collecting Beads of Courage - Oscar's Story

Thanks to kind donations, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity is continuing to fund the Beads of Courage programme in the Cardiology unit at the Royal Hospital for Children.  

For many patients, going to the hospital can be daunting. The Beads of Courage programme aims to empower children and young people who regularly attend hospital, helping them create a tangible way to track their own journey and alleviate the stress and anxiety surrounding the hospital.  

For every visit, whether it’s a blood test, a routine appointment or surgery, there’s a Bead of Courage available for patients to collect, helping them commemorate every milestone and celebrate how far they’ve come.

One person who knows the difference the beads can make is 10-year-old Oscar, who has been collecting Beads of Courage with his family since he was eight months old.  

Oscar was diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis when he was six weeks old and has gone on to receive treatment and undergo multiple heart surgeries. Oscar has now collected five strands, with every bead marking another step in his hospital story. 

Oscar shares: 

“From when I was in hospital as a wee kid to now, my Beads of Courage show how many operations I’ve had and how many times I’ve been in the hospital. I feel brave when I’m wearing them. 

“They’re special to me. It’s like I’ve had some since I was a wee baby, for every heart operation I’ve been through. It’s nice to see all the beads. It makes it feel more positive.  

“I collect them because they’re a part of my journey, and my life, and basically what’s going on in my body.” 

Oscar

Every visit has a specific colour, which is then ticked off in a special booklet once it’s collected, so Oscar and his family can easily track his treatment in the Cardiology unit.

Mum Louise shares: 

“Collecting the beads brings a brighter feel to all the procedures he gets. We know that after surgery, check-up echo, ECG, bloods etc that there will be a bead waiting for us. It is special to look at all the beads he has, because it shows all he’s been through, and it reminds us how amazing Oscar is. Oscar looks forward to ticking off the booklet. I think it has taken away the fear of hospital and clinic visits.  

“During any stay we have had at RHC, ICU and Ward 1E, all the staff have been amazing, always making Oscar feel comfortable. It is easy to forget it is a hospital at times.” 

Mum Louise

Oscar has since used his Beads of Courage at a school assembly, explaining to his classmates about their importance alongside his own journey through the Royal Hospital for Children and beyond.

Beads of Courage supports children across a range of hospital specialties. Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity is proud to fund the programme for children receiving care through the hospital's Cardiology service, which spans the whole of Scotland. 

"For many of our cardiac patients, Beads of Courage becomes much more than a collection of beads, it becomes a record of their journey. Seeing their bead string grow helps children recognise their achievements and gives them a sense of control during what can be a really uncertain time. Children love the prospect of returning home and showing the beads to family and friends. They often talk about taking them into school and telling their story through the beads at assemblies. We are incredibly grateful to the charity for funding this programme, bringing some comfort and positivity to children and their families by celebrating every milestone." 

Louise Bell, Senior Charge Nurse

Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity is proud to continue funding Beads of Courage in the Royal Hospital for Children’s Cardiology unit, helping alleviate stress and anxiety around hospital visits for children and young people, as well as empowering children to tell their own stories.