After breaking numerous beds by falling heavily on them, ten-year-old Callum Rodger urgently needed specialist equipment to keep him safe at night – as well as help his parents care for him without any risk to them.
The family from Methil in Fife turned to Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children for help in funding the bed which features a high / low platform and cot sides with a mesh system after they heard about the leading children’s disability charity from the Fife Carers Centre.
Callum has Autism, Cerebral Palsy and severe Epilepsy which is more pronounced at night and he received a brain injury at birth. Although he has some mobility and can walk short distances, he tires easily due to right sided weakness and can be clumsy, falling heavily on furniture. Callum doesn’t speak and has challenging behaviour as a direct result of his disability, which can lead to him banging his head and biting his hands as well as physically hitting and biting others when he is frustrated.
As Callum has sleep disturbances, usually due to seizure activity which requires a parent to help settle him, the specialist bed will be able to provide his parents with easy low access to him, while the mesh system at the side of the bed will prevent the youngster becoming trapped during a seizure.
Callum’s mum Claire Rodger said: “He has broken a few beds with his behaviours and we really needed something stronger and safer for him. This specialist bed will make a huge difference. It has protected sides so he can’t fall out of bed and we can raise him up and down which will make a big difference for my back too as Callum is a big lad now.”
Newlife has awarded 48 Equipment Grants for children in Fife, totalling £123,666 and – recognising the urgency of Callum’s situation – is responding immediately to his bed needs. However, demand on the charity’s range of practical support services is growing, as statutory budgets are cut, so Newlife is increasingly calling on ‘local heroes’ to help fund equipment for children in their own counties.
Newlife CEO Sheila Brown, OBE, said: “We guarantee that 100 per cent of all monies donated or fundraised in Fife can be ring-fenced to specifically provide equipment for disabled and terminally ill children within the county.”
The charity is currently working with the families of three children in Fife with equipment needs totalling £7,718. So if you would like to donate or raise money to help provide this equipment, the Newlife Community Fundraising Team can be contacted on freephone 0800 988 4640. Any individual or organisation thinking of running a fundraising event is asked to contact the team, who can offer support and guidance.
Pictured: Callum Rodger
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