THE BLISS STORY

This section is all about my beginning and Bliss.

From how it came to be and most importantly why.

I was born at 27 weeks gestation

on the 20th December 1978

weighing only 1.020 kilos the equivalent of 2.4 lbs.

This resulted in me needing

eight blood transfusions and having 14 heart attacks.

My heart stopped beating three times.

I am extremely lucky to have survived.

I have mild Cerebral Palsy

and have lived a normal and eventful life.

However there are still thousands of babies born every year

who need urgent medical care in order to live.

My hope is to bring awareness to the

crucial and life-saving work done by

dedicated patrons, staff members and volunteers.

To enlarge any literature material or photographs

just click on the required item.

If you would like to learn more please visit

www.bliss.org.uk

or click on the logo links located on the left hand side.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my site and

PLEASE SUPPORT BLISS BY DONATING WHATEVER YOU CAN.

Thank you, with all my heart.

Francesca Bertorelli.

Original BLISS Logo

New BLISS Logo

Mum Holds Me for the First Time

Dad Hosts a Fundraiser to Buy a Stat Scope II Monitor

When Mum and Dad presented the Stat Scope II Monitor

to the Special Care Baby Unit at Queen Charlotte's Hospital,

the Nurses very kindly gave me a toy lamb as a present.

I named him Larry Lamb, he lived on my bed and I took him everywhere.

Mum has had to perform a couple of surgeries on him over the years poor thing!

I still have Larry Lamb today!

Baby Savers - February 6th 1982

One of the First Support Leaflets and First Headed Paper

Josie Evans, Mum and I in the Newspaper... Again!

Save A Baby's Life - January 1980

Campaigning at N.10 Downing Street

Mum pushing the pram on the far right.

The funny looking thing in said pram is me!

Noir Photo Shoot

New Patron HRH The Douches of Gloucester

Mum with HRH The Duchess of Gloucester.

Time To Eat

Dad obviously got the short straw during this night.

He is desperately trying to keep awake.

I love this picture!

I can tell the expression on my face

is asking "Where is my food,

I have been waiting for a while now

(only a few minutes I should think)

and am not impressed!

Posing for the Camera

A couple of my most cherished photographs

taken with my sister Mia.

This is my wonderful husband Richard and I.

Walking for BLISS

This was a charity walk Mum, Mia, Susana Cheal and Tracey did in aid of BLISS.

Tracey lived round the corner from us and used to be our babysitter,

and was one of my sister's closest friends for many years.

That was exhausting!

Time to relax now.

Getting Up By Myself

This was the first time I got up all by myself.

I used to fall over constantly

(well I still do actually)

due to my lack of balance

with my Cerebral Palsy.

I'm looking very pleased with myself arn't I.