Having a six-year-old who needs a wheelchair to get around, as well as a new baby to transport, means leaving the house in Newport with both children is hugely difficult for Isle of Wight mum Berenice Stanley. Although there is nothing available on the high street to help, a specialist double buggy would give her the freedom she needs.
Now Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children is looking for ‘local heroes’ who can help us make this happen. We already have £800 towards this vital piece of equipment, which costs £2,399, but we still need £1,599.
Daughter Jaine Stanley has infantile scoliosis and wore a full body brace between the ages of one and four, then she became the first child in the UK to have magnetic rods inserted into her spine. Now, aged six, her condition still affects her walking and balance so she is unable to walk very far. She uses a wheelchair for mobility and this also provides the necessary support for her back.
Her sister Callie was born in July this year and has Down’s Syndrome. Since her birth Berenice has been struggling to take her and Jaine out together without the help of her husband Myles, or their other seven children – Darryll, aged 23, Laylla, 22, Tamara 20, Sam 17, Ruby 16, Tom nine and Max seven. However, with work and school, there isn’t always someone around to push Callie in the buggy while Berenice pushes Jaine in her wheelchair to school or medical appointments.
“It’s an absolute nightmare,” said Berenice. “When Jaine has to go to hospital we have to go to Southampton, which is quite a trek. It takes us all day to go there and come back. Even popping to the shops or getting them all to school is difficult. A double buggy is a real necessity.
“Because Jaine is six years old and there is such a difference in weight between her and Callie, a standard double buggy wouldn’t be any good. There just isn’t anything suitable on the mainstream market. Jaine needs support for her spine, especially after surgery to replace the rods, which is done regularly. A specialist buggy which places them one behind the other would be safer and more comfortable and it would mean I could go out with them both on my own.
“A specialist buggy would improve our quality of life and means we could do everything we need to.”
We need donors and fundraisers who want to really make a difference, helping us transform Callie and Jaine’s everyday life. To find out how you can support them, go to www.newlifecharity.co.uk/isleofwight. Alternatively, contact the Newlife County Liaison Team on 01543 431 444, email local@newlifecharity.co.uk.
Newlife guarantees that 100 per cent of monies donated or fundraised in Isle of Wight will be used to specifically help children with disabilities and terminal illness on the island. Any money raised above the amount required for Jaine and Callie will be used to help other local children on the island as their family is one of two on the island with equipment needs of £2,419.
Pictured(L to R): Callie and Jaine Stanley
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