Stories

Nine-year-old Tyler suffered from Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) when he was born – this is a type of brain damage that happens when an infant's brain doesn't receive enough oxygen and blood. He has autism, ADHD, SPD, and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), which means he is mostly fed through a feeding tube. In addition, Tyler has mild cerebral palsy and general learning difficulties. Tyler has one brother, Rueben, who also has autism and SPD, and a baby sister Lily, who was born in December 2019. They live with mum, Kerry, and dad, James, in Essex. Here, Kerry discusses her life as a parent-carer, and describes how a tactile sensory kit received from Variety has helped the family.

Twin brothers Levi and Lucas are 14 years old. They live in South Yorkshire with parents Paul and Michael, who adopted them in 2008 when they two years old. Both Levi and Lucas are on the autistic spectrum and have complex epilepsy, along with learning difficulties. Their lives are severely affected by all of their conditions combined. Here, in their own words, Paul and Michael describe how sensory equipment, provided by Variety, has transformed the lives of the boys.

Ezzy is seven years old and lives in Bristol. She was born three months early, and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which affects her arms and legs. She struggles to walk and can find things a little tough. Her favourite activities are swimming and horse riding and she loves 'The Masked Singer', a British reality television singing competition. Here, in her own words, Ezzy describes the difference a wheelchair funded by Variety has made to her life.

Hadley from Southampton is nine years old and has cerebral palsy. He likes like rugby, football, cricket, and Formula One racing and he plays wheelchair basketball for Hampshire Hornets Wheelchair Basketball Club. Here, in his own words, he shares his reflections on wheelchairs and explains how a sports wheelchair, funded by Variety, has helped him.

Dante from Liverpool is 12 years old and has osteogenesis imperfecta, otherwise known as brittle bone disease. He is a Variety Young Ambassador and Pride of Britain 2019 award winner. Here, in his own words, he discusses his experiences of being a wheelchair user and the difference that having a light manual wheelchair, funded by Variety, has made to his life.

Emily from Hampshire, who is a Variety Young Ambassador, is 13 years old and has spina bifida. Here, in her own words, she discusses how a mobile electric hoist, funded by Variety, helps her transfer smoothly and safely from her wheelchair onto her bed and other places, protecting her parent-carers' backs in the process.

Yassine from Berkshire is 16 years old and currently in year 11 at school. He has cerebral palsy. He plays wheelchair basketball for the Thames Valley Kings Wheelchair Basketball Team and is a Variety Young Ambassador. Here, in his own words, he talks about the difference that his new sports wheelchair, donated by Variety, has made to his life.

Hannah is 7 years old and lives in Glasgow. She has epilepsy, and experiences several different seizure types, including focal, drop seizures, tonic, and tonic-clonic. The tonic-clonic seizures usually become Status Epilepticus, meaning they last more than 5 minutes, though her longest seizure lasted almost two hours.

Daniel is 14 and has a life-limiting muscle-wasting condition called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – a rare genetic disease. Daniel also has severe anxiety, which has impacted greatly on his day-to-day life.

Harry from Liverpool is 8 years old and has hydrocephalus and spina bifida. He mainly uses his wheelchair to get about, but also makes use of a walking frame at times. Here, proud dad Mick tells us his story.