One-year-old Zain from Birmingham was born at 23 weeks which has resulted in him having several health issues. He was in need of a special buggy that would provide him with the postural support needed allowing him to go out and about in safety. Thanks to the emergency loan of a special pushchair from Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, Zain is getting the essential support he needs to travel safely.
Zain was given just 24 hours to live and has defied all odds; he is unable to sit unaided and is visually impaired. Just after Zain was born his mum was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 20; sadly she passed away six weeks later leaving behind her husband, Zain and his older brother who was two at the time.
Zain now lives with his Aunt Sabrina, her husband and their two children aged 16 and 19. Zain needed a special pushchair as his previous one was not suitable for his posture and did not hold his oxygen tank safely.
Sabrina said: “His old pushchairs were terrible, we went through so many! Because Zain is unable to sit on his own he would lean to one side and smack his head off the side bar making it very unsafe. He was always uncomfortable so it was difficult to take him out. When he was on oxygen the baskets would always break due to the weight of the tanks.”
With no statutory funding available, Sabrina turned to Newlife – the UK’s leading charity provider of specialist equipment for children with disabilities and terminal illness. Just a few days later, Newlife provided a specialist buggy to keep Zain safe when out and about.
Sabrina added: “Since getting the new buggy it’s been so much better we have many hospital appointments and we like to take him to groups, it’s much easier with the equipment. His posture is supported so he can now sit in an upright position, I don’t need to worry any more because I know he is safe.
“We were originally looking after Zain on a temporary basis but now he’s with us permanently. A year ago we never would have thought that this would be our lives but we wouldn’t change it for the world and would do it all over again if we had to. Getting aid from charities like Newlife is a massive help because as he grows he will need different things.”
Newlife provided the buggy through its Emergency Equipment Loan service. Equipment loans are made for around six months, while Newlife works with local statutory services to secure provision. If this is not possible, Newlife can further support families by looking at permanent provision through its Equipment Grant service.
Right now there are currently a further 97 families in the county with equipment needs totalling £85,431. Through equipment grants and loans Newlife has supported 1,403 families in the West Midlands, with expenditure of more than £1million. If you would like to find out how you could help other children in the West Midlands like Zain – or just want more information about Newlife Foundation – go to: https://newlifecharity.co.uk/WestMidlands. Alternatively, contact the Newlife County Liaison Team on 01543 431 444, email local@newlifecharity.co.uk.
To find out more about Newlife’s range of support and services, call the Newlife Nurse Helpline – 0800 902 0095 – or go to www.newlifecharity.co.uk.
Pictured: Zain
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