Our Christmas 2007 Appeal

Josh has a rare condition called Hereditary Motor Sensory Neuropathy, which causes the nerves to become damaged and stop sending signals to the arms and legs. This severely weakens his muscles, affects his movement and even limits the feeling in his hands and feet. Josh has just begun his first year at a specialised college where he boards during the week. He loves living in a new, independent environment. However, this newly-won independence is being put in jeopardy. Josh recently had an operation to straighten his spine and as a result he has experienced a growthspurt: he's now 6ft 2in tall. Josh already has very limited movement and, being a full time wheelchair user, this growth means that his current chair is now far too small for him.

He is constantly sitting in the wrong position and what's worse his straightened spine is in danger of permanently twisting. This also affects his centre of gravity which is now often in the wrong place making the whole wheelchair extremely unsteady and liable to tilt. Because Josh's chair is an older model, it doesn't have any sophisticated stabilising technology, so he has to lean over to compensate for any tilting. The problem is, because of the rods in his back and his muscular problems, Josh can't right himself quickly enough if the chair becomes unbalanced. For example, recently, he was trying to get down a steep kerb, his chair veered, and he was very nearly hit by a car. Only the fact that the footrest of the chair took the strain saved him from serious injury or worse. As a result Josh is beginning to live a very limited existence, just at the time when he should be able to have the confidence to make the most of his new surroundings. Please donate now and help us to raise £12,229 this Christmas for Josh who desperately needs this new powered wheelchair.

 

gift_tag2_97_x151.jpg