24. Helping Theo get a new wheelchair - Sept 2020

 

Donation number 24 allows us to help the family of a 9 year old boy called Theo.  We have sent them £500 towards buying a new wheelchair for Theo.

Theo was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. At just 9 weeks old he was fitted with a VP (ventriculoperitoneal) shunt - a hydrocephalus treatment to drain extra fluid from the brain to help prevent pressure from getting too high.  

He is partially paralysed waist to knees and paralysed knees down.  But in spite of his difficulties he is a very outgoing boy who enjoys life to the full.  He has been learning to play the violin, goes to cubs and enjoys performing in front of people with musical theatre.  

He needs a wheelchair to help with getting around and relies upon it to be able to maintain his independence. 

He got his first wheelchair from the NHS when he was 3 years old.  However, this was constantly breaking down - to the extent that in the first 6 months he actually only had access to the chair for 2 weeks as it needed to be in for repair so often.

This was obviously unsustainable so the family decided to fundraise for a better wheelchair. 

They baked 840 cakes for a school sale.  Theo did a sponsored walk around Locke Park in Barnsley - covering small distances over 3 days with his walker.  Grandparents contributed.  A friend shaved her head, another shaved his head in the restaurant he worked at.  The local pub had a swear box and raffled prizes. 

A long fourteen months later they had raised enough to buy the new chair.

But now Theo is 9,  he has outgrown that chair and because the family paid for the first chair they are ineligible for funding for another one.  They want to get Theo a new chair - one that will take him into his teenage years.

They are waiting for a fitting appointment and are aiming to ensure they have the new chair in early 2021.  Theo is due to have bladder surgery in April and it will be imperative he has his new chair for the 12 week recovery period. 

The family have been trying to prepare for the time when Theo would outgrow his current chair.   Their elder son has been trying to raise money for over the last year in the pub where he works, but this is a tough year for fundraising.  They may be able to get a NHS voucher to help and will be able to sell Theo’s old chair but will still be short.  Family and friends are preparing for another fundraising effort but we would like to make it a bit easier than it was 5 years ago and send them £500 which will bring them almost to their target.