Every nine-year-old wants the opportunity to explore the world around them for themselves, finding all the things that interest them. But for Noah Gee from Haywards Heath this isn’t possible as six months ago he lost his only opportunity for independence – he outgrew his specialist walker.
Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children is now looking for local heroes in West Sussex to help provide him with a new walker so he can regain his independence and carry on doing what he enjoys most – dancing.
Noah has Cerebral Palsy, global developmental delay and is registered blind – he has limited mobility and is in a wheelchair most of the time while at home and school. However, he is able to use a walking aid for short periods of time – and he loves it!
Noah’s walker is now too small for him to use safely so he is in his wheelchair all the time while at home. His school has one walker, but this is shared between all the children who need it.
Mum Paula Gee said: “Noah gets bored very easily as he can’t do anything independently. When he used to use his old walker at home and school he had a feeling of independence – this is the only time he gets to choose where he can go and what he can do. Since he has stopped using the walker I have watched him lose his independence again, he’s in tears a lot of the time and is very frustrated now.”
The specialist walking frame Noah needs costs £2,974 but this is out of the family’s budget which is why they have turned to Newlife, the UK’s largest charitable provider of essential equipment to meet the specialist needs of children with disabilities and terminal illness.
Paula added: “A new walker will add independence back into his life – Noah loves to dance and although he can’t move his legs properly he can shuffle his feet. To other children that may not be a big deal but it means everything to Noah. He wouldn’t be bored just sitting in his wheelchair and would be able to move around the house freely again.”
Right now, Noah’s family is just one of seven children in the county who need equipment totalling £8,492. That’s why Newlife has a dedicated West Sussex Fund – www.newlifecharity.co.uk/West Sussex which gives local people the opportunity to help local disabled children. Every penny donated or fundraised in West Sussex is guaranteed to support families in the county.
To specifically support Noah, go the website and click on the Donate button beside his story.
The Newlife West Sussex Fund supports equipment provision for under-19s facing any significant disability, whether acquired through birth defect, prematurity, accident or illness. Newlife has provided 72 families in West Sussex with disability equipment – including beds, wheelchairs, seating and sensory aids – worth over £80,000. However, the demand is still high.
The website includes contact details for the Newlife County Liaison Team – tel no 01543 431 444 or email local@newlifecharity.co.uk – and shows specific ways people can help support children with disability and terminal illness and their families in the county.
Pictured: Noah Gee
Web: https://newlifecharity.co.uk
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