Stories

Ellie has very poor balance, both when standing and walking. All her muscles are weak, which affects the use of her arms and legs. A lack of core strength also means she cannot bend so she needs help with basics like getting dressed. The general muscle weakness makes her unstable and if she stumbles she cannot break her fall as she lacks the normal reflexes in her hands and arms.

Henry is a 15 year old boy with global developmental delay accompanied by other health problems, such as visual impairment (he is registered blind), epilepsy, diabetes and hip dysplasia. He is unable to transfer himself from a sitting to a lying position.

Nash is a 13 year old boy who is severely affected with autism. He also suffers with very severe atopic eczema over his whole body which causes him constant distress and discomfort. He only manages to sleep for about one hour per night so his mum is on 24/7 alert.

4 year old Jake has athetoid cerebral palsy and severe visual impairment which results in lots of involuntary movements. Co-ordinating a controlled movement is very difficult for him. Jake needs assistance with eating and he cannot walk or sit unaided.

Sherbourne Fields School is an all-age special school which provides outstanding education and pastoral care to a broad spectrum of students with special needs - many of whom have severe and complex medical conditions. The school has a number of students who are unable to access computers or tablets in the usual way due to a variety of disabilities and problems with controlling their movement.

14 year old Kare can only walk short distances and needs a wheelchair to get around on a daily basis. But that has not stopped this remarkable young athlete from reaching outstanding levels of achievement in her chosen Paralympic sport.

Liam has Epilepsy and Cerebral Palsy which mostly affect his lower limbs. Although able to transfer independently from his wheelchair to another sitting surface, as he has got older and taller, he can no longer walk, even with aids.

Daniel has severe quadriplegic cerebral palsy, visual impairment and global developmental delay, due to a traumatic birth. He is a full time wheelchair user and is totally dependent on help with all aspects of his personal care, mobility and transfers. Daniel has poor head control and is unable to sit, roll or stand unaided.

In many respects, Jaecob is a typical, energetic, happy and outgoing three year old. Except that Jaecob has a spinal cord injury that has left him paraplegic with no sensation or strength in his trunk or legs.

Sam has Cerebral Palsy, a condition which limits his movement, posture and consequently his co-ordination. It means Sam needs help with everyday activities like washing, dressing and just carrying things. He cannot leave the house without full time support.