A specialist car seat has changed the lives of Alaya Miller and her family as travelling by car had become quite stressful for both the 11-month-old and her mum Yasmin Vickers-Hughes. A simple piece of specialist equipment means Alaya is now able to get out and about in comfort and safety.
Alaya from Upton, Cheshire, has Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy and will require 24 hour care for the rest of her life. She also has Dystonia which is a state of irregular muscle tone resulting in muscular spasms and abnormal posture so Alaya has no head control.
Alaya’s mum Yasmin said: “I drive my partner to and from work every day, I’m usually on the road for a minimum of two hours. Travelling with a standard car seat was a nightmare because it was clear that Alaya was never comfortable, she would cry for most of the journey.”
Having a specialist car seat will mean her head is supported and it will prevent postural deformities developing as Alaya grows.
“The new car seat is fantastic; it turns 360 degrees so access has become much easier. Alaya hardly ever cries and you can see the difference and how much more comfortable she is.”
Alaya has many appointments to attend and her family enjoy taking her on outings, so the new £445 car seat will not only ensure her safety, it will give mum Yasmin peace of mind that she is comfortable and safe while travelling in the family car.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to Newlife and the Morgan Foundation for funding Alaya’s car seat, we really appreciate all the help,” said Yasmin.
“Alaya’s quality of life is already at a disadvantage compared to other children, but it’s the small things that count and this new chair has made a huge difference to our lives.”
The Morgan Foundation is working with Newlife to ensure more children with disabilities and terminal illness get the right equipment at the right time. This includes wheelchairs, buggies and walkers for mobility, specialist car seats and beds for safety and a range of other disability equipment including communication aids, walking frames, portable hoists and seating systems.
A Morgan Foundation fundraising golf day and gala dinner in support of Newlife held last year raised £450,000 to provide vital specialist equipment specifically for families across North Wales, Merseyside, West Cheshire, North Shropshire and parts of the West Midlands.
Steve Morgan, chairman of The Morgan Foundation, said: “Having a vital aid like this means the health prospects and enjoyment of children like Alaya can be improved. Everyone who took part in our golf day or attended the gala dinner has helped – and will continue to help – make a real difference.”
Newlife Foundation is a national charity which works extensively with families across the region and has funded £438,133 of equipment for 347 children in Cheshire. To find out more about Newlife’s work in the county, go to: www.newlifecharity.co.uk/cheshire
For further information about The Morgan Foundation visit the website, www.morganfoundation.co.uk or call 01829 782800.
If you would like to find out more about Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children and how to access its services, call the Newlife Nurse Helpline on 0800 902 0095 (free from UK landlines) or go to www.newlifecharity.co.uk.
Pictured: Alaya Miller
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