In order for two-year-old Tiahna Huddlestone to sit in comfort and safety she needs a special chair called a P-Pod. Unfortunately at a cost of £1,033 this is way beyond the family budget so Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children is appealing to local heroes in West Yorkshire to help get little Tiahna the special chair she needs.
Tiahna from Castleford, has a rare genetic disorder, resulting in her having seizures, global developmental delay and has left her visually impaired. Tiahna needs a P-Pod as she is unable to sit unaided due to low muscle tone – the special seat is essential for giving her the postural support she needs.
A moulded seat on a beanbag style base, provides comfort and appropriate support to help prevent further health issues. Tiahna currently sits on the sofa which is very unsafe. She uses functional seating but can only tolerate this for short periods of time as it offers zero comfort.
Mum Ashlie Maskill said: “Without a special comfortable seat it’s been a nightmare, Tiahna has a chair which we bought but she is growing out of it very quickly. Because she is tube fed she needs to be in a safe position and at the moment it is not possible to do this. It would be nice for her to have her own place to sit comfortably.”
With the family’s local statutory services unable to fund the P-Pod they turned to Newlife – the largest charity funder of specialist equipment for children with disabilities and terminal illness in the UK.
Mum Ashlie added: “With the P-Pod Tiahna will be able to interact with her older brother Dillan safely. I will not have to worry about her being fed in an unsafe position as I know she will be safe and comfortable. The P-Pod will give Tiahna the essential postural support she needs.”
Tiahna’s is one of 30 families in the West Yorkshire area who currently need specialist equipment totalling £41,387. That’s why Newlife has a dedicated West Yorkshire Fund – www.newlifecharity.co.uk/WestYorkshire – which gives local people the opportunity to help local disabled children. Every penny donated or fundraised in the area is guaranteed to support local.
To specifically support Tiahna, go the website and click on the Donate button beside her story. Any money raised over and above what is needed for Tiahna will be used to help other local children.
The website includes contact details for the Newlife County Liaison Team – 01543 431 44401543 431 444 or email local@newlifecharity.co.uk.
Pictured: Tiahna Huddlestone
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