Her disabled sister Kennedy finally returned home after battling coronavirus and sepsis in hospital for two weeks last month.
And Kelsey Stratford appeared in better spirits as she documented her work trip to Dubai with her friend Ella Rae Wise on Instagram on Wednesday.
The TOWIE star, 20, who jetted to United Arab Emirates before UK’s new Tier 4 system was introduced, looked typically radiant as she slipped into a striped bikini by Itty Bitty Kinis in a series of stunning snaps.
Loving life: Kelsey Stratford appeared in better spirits as she documented her work trip to Dubai with her friend Ella Rae Wise on Instagram on Wednesday, after her sister’s health battle
Turning up the heat, the influencer showcased her toned figure in her co-ords, which featured a tiny bikini top, matching briefs and a sarong.
The beautician wore her tresses in loose waves, while her complexion was enhanced with radiant make-up.
Late last month, Kelsey revealed Kennedy, eight, was discharged from hospital just in time for her birthday.
The carer penned: ‘It feels so nice for Kennedy to finally be home, I know I never show it but I’ve been constantly stressed and had bad anxiety since she went into hospital to the point where I’m so tensed up & achey.
On the mend: The TOWIE star, 20, previously revealed her eight-year-old sibling returned home after battling coronavirus and sepsis in hospital for two weeks
In her element: The influencer, who jetted to UAE before UK’s Tier 4 system was introduced, looked radiant as she slipped into a striped bikini by Itty Bitty Kinis in a series of stunning snaps
Turning up the heat: The beautician showcased her toned figure in her co-ords, which featured a tiny bikini top, matching briefs and a sarong
‘But tonight I finally feel a but better now I know she’s home with us… I just can’t explain the love I have for my precious little girl.
‘Thank you every single one of you who have messaged about my sister. You’re all so kind,’ she concluded.
Eight-year-old Kennedy, who has terminal condition Spinal Muscular Atrophy, was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital on Sunday 15 November.
Kelsey recently told MailOnline Kennedy’s condition weakens her immune system and she’s spent every winter in intensive care after catching colds and on worse occasions, pneumonia.
Relieved: Late last month, the blonde revealed Kennedy was discharged from hospital just in time for her birthday
After contracting coronavirus, Kelsey feared the worst for her sister, as she’s one of the first SMA type 1 patients to fall ill with the disease and also developed sepsis.
She said: ‘I am positive she will beat it but it’s never happened before to an SMA type 1 patient, they have never caught something like this so we all don’t know what’s going to happen.
‘Kennedy has been in intensive care every winter, her entire life. But she is really struggling with Covid. We’re heartbroken.
‘She is in the best place, she is in Great Ormond Street intensive care and my stepdad is doing a really good job helping her with her treatment and I know how strong Kennedy is.
Strong: Her younger sibling, who has terminal condition Spinal Muscular Atrophy, was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital on November 15
‘Now she has sepsis, it makes it a lot more serious because she has that on top of Covid, which was terrible anyway. It’s really not good at the moment but the doctors are doing everything they can.’
The hardest part for Kelsey was the guilt of leaving Kennedy on her own in hospital as she knows her sister will be missing the family, which extends to her mum, stepdad and six other brothers and sisters.
She added: ‘That’s what makes this harder, I feel like she’s on her own. No one else can go in and see her because she’s in intensive care and because of Covid.
‘It is so quiet without her because when she’s here all she does is boss us about and she’s so loud, she’s always singing. It’s really quiet without her. She has my stepdad who’s been able to visit but I know she would love to see all of us.’
The TV star was just 12-years-old when her sister was born and diagnosed with SMA, which is a disease that affects the central nervous system and skeletal muscle movement.
Kennedy had a twin brother Karter, who sadly passed away within a year of being born, when Kelsey was a child.