Jan 2008 Appeal for Tom

 Tom is 24 years old and has Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD). This is a genetic degenerative disease which affects the muscles, causing increasingly limited movement. The symptoms of Tom's BMD started to appear just before infant school and have progressed to the point where he has no use of his legs and only limited movement in his arms.

In his own words, Tom wants to see his wheelchair as ‘another pair of legs'. However, his current chair is far from that. The problem is that he has had the same chair since he was 16. Tom has grown considerably since then, and his chair is now far too small for him.

As a result of having to sit slumped in the chair, Tom often has to go to bed in the middle of the afternoon because he is in so much pain. Nobody should have to live with preventable pain - and that is exactly what Tom's pain is. With your help, we can get Tom a chair that is the right size. Will you send a gift today?

There is so much that Tom wants to achieve but he is racing the inevitable progression of his BMD. He lives from day to day, making the most of every 24 hours. As his mother Brenda puts it: "He does the coping for all of us. He's so plucky, never down in the dumps, and always says, ‘I have had a good life.'"

His determination shows in the targets he sets himself, from continuing to feed himself to studying graphic design at a local day centre. A new chair will have such an impact on his enjoyment of daily life, enabling to make the most of the time he has with friends and family.

Part of this will be to make a trip to Florida, but without a new chair, Tom faces a gruelling and disappointing trip. The constant pain will force him to go to bed just when he should be making the most of this amazing opportunity.

Please donate now so that Tom can get the chair he needs.