In order for one-year-old Leo Lengyel-Ducey from York to sit in comfort and safety he needs a special chair called a PPod. Unfortunately, at a cost of £933 this is way beyond the family budget so Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children is appealing to local heroes in North Yorkshire to help get little Leo the special chair he needs.
Newlife has already raised £311 towards the special seat which leaves £622 to fund. Leo has Epilepsy and Cerebral Palsy, he is registered blind and is fed through a tube in his stomach due to reflux. When Leo’s temperature gets too high he has severe seizures, which happen every few months, and has small seizures on a daily basis.
Unable to sit unaided, at the moment Leo’s only form of seating is his baby bouncer which he can tolerate for about 15 minutes before he starts to cry. Other than that he has to be held. The bouncer does not give him the essential postural support Leo needs to feel comfortable.
Mum Chloe Lengyel-Heaton said: “It’s such a shame that Leo can’t sit on a regular sofa or chair, because it’s so unsafe for his posture. He isn’t supposed to sit in the bouncer at all but because it settles him it’s the only thing we can use.”
With the family’s local statutory services unable to fund the equipment they turned to Newlife – the largest charity funder of specialist equipment for children with disabilities and terminal illness in the UK.
A PPod is a special piece of equipment with a moulded seat on a type of bean bag base which will give Leo a comfy place to sit, support his posture and improve quality of life for the whole family.
Mum Chloe said: “Leo trialled a PPod and we could see the difference straight away, he wasn’t crying like he does in his bouncer. He looked more comfortable and, more importantly, he was safe! With his own PPod he would no longer have to be in an unsafe position, as he would be getting the essential postural support he needs.”
Leo’s is one of seven families in the county who currently need specialist equipment totalling £14,421. That’s why Newlife has a dedicated North Yorkshire Fund – https://newlifecharity.co.uk/NorthYorkshire – which gives local people the opportunity to help local disabled children. Every penny donated or fundraised in the county is guaranteed to support families in the area.
To specifically support Leo, go the website and click on the Donate button beside his story. Any money raised over and above what is needed for Leo will be used to help other local children. For more details contact the Newlife County Liaison Team – 01543 431 444 or email local@newlifecharity.co.uk .
Pictured: Leo Lengyel-Ducey
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