A helping hand for youngsters with cerebral palsy

Feb 6 2010 by Hannah Davies, The Journal

IN PART three of our campaign to support The Children’s Foundation’s Healthy, Happy, Safe appeal, HANNAH DAVIES visits a project which helps youngsters with cerebral palsy.

Leanne Harker, 29, is mum to Max, three. She lives in Oakenshaw, County Durham, with her partner Mark Austin, 29, an engineer.

Max was born at 23 weeks. His twin didn’t survive and as a result of complications with such an early birth Max was left with cerebral palsy.

Leanne recalls: “We were told before we left hospital that Max had cerebral palsy.

“I’m now his full-time carer. It is hard – there are lots of different things you have to do to look after him.

“I found there wasn’t much available on the NHS. They would give you a leaflet showing exercises but here you get demonstrations of how to do them.

“I felt very alone when I began and a bit at sea, but Heel and Toe really has been a lifeline.”

The group only opened in October 2008, but as the charity’s director Doug Long says, there is a huge call for it.

He says: “The NHS don’t fund us and it costs us £37 a hour to do what we do, but we do it completely free of charge for parents and I think that’s important.

“We are the only centre in the North East which does what we do, in an area with 1,600 children who have cerebral palsy.”

Heel and Toe relies on donations from places like The Children’s Foundation, sponsors and fundraising.

The more money they get, the more hours they can devote to helping children like Esmee, Lois and Max, and their parents.

As Paul Martinson says: “It has given us a bit of hope really that we can do things to help her.

“We know it is not going to “fix” her, but it is going to help her.”

Gill adds: “When I went with her to some baby groups near where we live we’d get looks from the other mums who were there.

“I felt really isolated, but I’m comfortable here and so is Esmee.”

To sign up to the Happy, Healthy, Safe appeal, contact Hannah Jackson at The Children’s Foundation on 0191 282 0897, email hannah.jackson3@nuth.nhs.uk, or download a form from www.thechildrensfoundation.co.uk