Phil & Ste’s London Marathon for John’s Eyegazer

Phil and Ste will be running the London Marathon on Sunday 21 April to raise funds to help to buy an EyeGaze Assistive Communication Device.

An EyeGaze device will greatly improve John's daily quality of life by helping him communicate in a way he's not yet been able to. The technology will allow John to send messages and to control his own TV and music by translating the movement of his eyes into mouse cursor movements.

John’s Story

After being a keen footballer and sportsman until the age of 24, John contracted Japanese Encephalitis (a rare mosquito borne zoonotic virus) whilst travelling in Laos and Thailand in 2015. This affects the central nervous system - brain and spinal cord - and for John caused him to be largely paralysed from the neck downwards due to spinal cord lesions from the virus (similar to polio). John was first in a coma and is now wheelchair bound, but actively gets out and about and keeps positive.

After many years in hospitals and care homes, John now lives at home in his adapted home annexe and is making the very best of his life. He is busy with his ongoing therapies, has more independence with his electric-powered wheelchair, trips out in his van, and holidays.

How a Donation Will Help

John has been so very grateful for his earlier fundraisers for his power chair, WAV van, and his disabled home extensions. All have greatly improved his daily life. As a next priority in improving John’s quality of life we are looking for funds to be put towards the fantastic EyeGaze Communication equipment.

The Eyegaze screen sits on a movable stand and will alow John to send messages. For the first time John will be a be able to send his own messages and control his computer screen, TV controls, and mobile phone. This technology will revolutionise John's control over his environment and allow a stronger sense of independence.

Here's a link to see how EyeGaze works

A Speech and Language therapist will also train and help John with any EyeGaze equipment we are able to fundraise for. The full cost of the all the equipment is up £4,500 as the specialist software is very expensive. So any donations towards this will be so much appreciated by John. It will greatly add to his daily capabilities, improving his communication and the enjoyment of his day.

Click here for info on EyeGaze technology.

Every penny raised and every mile of Phil and Ste’s London Marathon will go towards John’s enjoyment of his life.