Venturing out
Venturing out
We're delighted to have awarded funding to Paul for the purchase of a mobility scooter. Paul has Osteoarthritis and Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) which causes poor mobility. This means that he struggles to go out, resulting in isolation.
Renewed independence for Alfie
Renewed independence for Alfie
Back in February funding was awarded to Alfie. Alfie has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a non-epileptic attack disorder and autistic spectrum disorder. He is unemployed and was very isolated as he was unable to get out of the house for spells of no more than an hour with his old wheelchair.
His old wheelchair was too heavy to self propel and he was therefore over reliant on carers, who can only come in for a maximum of an hour a time for times a day.
In Alfie's own words:
Out and about safely again
Out and about safely again
In January we awarded funding to Calvin for a mobility scooter. Calvin broke his back many years ago and since then he has issues with mobility, pain, nerve damage and numbness. His L1 vertebra has been removed and replaced with a pin, which causes considerable issues,
Last year, Calvin was struggling to get around his rural village because of a lack of paths and this meant that he was travelling very precariously along the road in his wheelchair.
Finding a new purpose
Finding a new purpose
Funding was awarded to a women with a T12 complete spinal injury. Dawn needed funding towards the purchase of an electric assist off-road handcycle. Dawn's injury occurred in 1999 and having raised her family, she was looking for a new purpose. Having been on an adaptive MTB (mountain bike) experience day and thoroughly enjoying it, she saw the opportunity to get out of her wheelchair and enjoy the outdoors again.
In Dawn's own words:
"The grant from Barchester’s Charitable Foundation has given me freedom.
Independence for this woman in her 90s!
Independence for this woman in her 90s!
We awarded funding to Rita, who is registered as partially sighted due to macular degeneration and is losing her eyesight. As a young woman she had a lumber fusion. Now in her 90s, she fractured her spine 2 years ago which stopped her being mobile. She is on strong pain relief and can only mobilise using a walker. This is becoming increasingly difficult due to muscle weakness around the spine. She is becoming increasingly isolated as she is only able to take her weight for short periods of time.
Rita's son provided lovely feedback:
Improving Katy's independence
Improving Katy's independence
In January this year, we awarded funding to Katy towards the purchase of an electric wheelchair. Katy has had Guillarme Barre Syndrome for most of her life. She also has other severe health conditions, including Sjogren's syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Costocondritis, Psoriatic Arthritis and a heart condition.
Recumbent Trike for Robyn
Recumbent Trike for Robyn
In September last year we awarded a grant to Robyn towards the purchase of a recumbent trike. Robyn has a history of cerebral palsy with spastic diplegic gait and also, severe spinal degeneration causing further mobility problems, with arthritis in both thumb joints, right wrist, and right ankle.
Robyn cannot drive and has a 3/4 mile walk to the nearest shops. Previously she could walk this distance, but within the last 18 months, with deteriorating health, is now unable to do so.
Debbie's return to the great outdoors!
Debbie's return to the great outdoors!
In the summer we awarded funding to Debbie, 39, from Hull. She was born with congenital spina bifida and our grant was used to purchase a new ergonomic wheelchair and power attachment which would enable the chair to be used independently.
Tri-ride for Tigs
Tri-ride for Tigs
Funding was awarded in May to Mark (Tigs), who suffers from complex PTSD and chronic pain which affects his entire body. He also suffers with chronic fatigue and migraines. He is unable to drive or work and is married with two young children.
An all-terrain buggy for Nicole
An all-terrain buggy for Nicole
At the beginning of the year we awarded funding to eighteen year old Nicole. She has Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, which compromises her ability to get out to the places she loves. The grant was put towards the purchase of a specialist all terrain buggy for Nicole, who is a full-time wheelchair user.