Theo's clever hand
“Theo is nearly two and loves nothing more than playing with his toys, so a typical day would see him shuffling on his bottom pushing a car or tractor with his right hand. I say his right hand because Theo has hemiplegia which affects the left side of his body making his left hand tight-fisted.
He has been on the Early Intervention scheme for a week and has more recently completed the Helping Hand scheme. Both consisted of intense therapy and focused on providing us with practical advice and exercises that we could easily continue at home.
In Mayella's Words
Hello! I am Mayella and I'm 8 years old.
I'm told I am very special. I love playing, school and days out. My difference is that I have Cerebral Palsy, lung problems and growth problems. This all makes the things other children do a bit tricky for me.
My mummy and daddy have told me that I have these problems because I was born very, very, very early and was so poorly the doctors thought I would not make it a few times. It has been difficult and I've given my parents lots to worry about!
Opening up Grace's world
Grace is a happy, fun loving girl who enjoys being around people. She loves playing with her twin Billy, friends, singing and going to school. She dislikes brushing her teeth – and not being able to move or speak like her friends.
Meet Hannah
Ibrahim's Story
Starting therapy when young can have an enormous impact on a child’s potential to develop new skills and abilities. Ibrahim, or Isa as his parents call him, started Bobath therapy in January 2013 at just a year old, and has made huge progress in the following six months.
Isa was born at 31 weeks and diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy just before his first birthday. His condition means that the muscles throughout his body are stiff, with his right side and arms most affected. He also has difficulty controlling his core muscles that help with balance and support.
Finn standing tall
When Finn was born, his parents Helen and Tony had no idea that there might be a problem with their beautiful baby boy. It was only at six months old, when they mentioned to a neighbour that Finn was left-handed, that they had their first inkling something wasn’t right; they were told that babies don’t usually show a preference at such a young age.
Daisy Daisy
Every weekend is a celebration in the Garforth household. Because ever since Lee and Hollie’s daughter Daisy was diagnosed with cerebral palsy they have been singing at wedding receptions to help pay for her care and equipment and to fund their travel costs to the Bobath Centre.
Complications during Daisy’s birth meant that she had to spend three weeks in the special baby care unit in hospital before being allowed home. As she grew, Lee and Hollie knew that she wasn’t developing as she should. A scan at seven months showed that brain damage had occurred.
Blu makes a wish
Blu was something of an unexpected Christmas present. Not due until February, he arrived two months early in late December. However, the birth went fine and Blu seemed a healthy baby boy.
It was only as the weeks went by that his parents noticed that he wasn’t like the other babies.
“His hands were always little fists. He just seemed angry and uncomfortable all the time,” says mum Laura.
