Keeping Ellie Mobile
Donation protected
Ellie is 10 years old and has a genetic condition called Type 2 Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Spinal Muscle Atrophy causes slow progressive muscle weakness and wasting of the limb muscles. Diagnosed with this condition at 18 months old, having not started to walk, Ellie has developed into a bright, happy, and independently-minded young lady but her condition means as she grows and gets bigger, her body becomes weaker.
Her power wheelchair gives her a lot of independence and the ability to interact with her peers and elders on her own terms. Ellie’s current power chair (which she has had since she was 5) is very special as it allows her to adjust her height from the ground up, it also allows her to travel over rough terrain, meaning she can independently take part in a wide range of activities at school and home. The independence that her wheelchair gives her is so important as Ellie needs assistance in all other aspects of her day to day life.
Ellie’s current powerchair is now too small for her and does not provide the correct postural support she requires as she grows. Posture is so important as Ellie’s muscles are not strong enough to hold her upright and her weak respiratory muscles make it difficult for her to cough effectively, making Ellie more vulnerable to chest infections, which could be life threatening. Ellie has previously had surgery on her spine to help her posture and she is scheduled to have more surgery before the end of the year.
For this surgery to be most successful, and for Ellie to maintain this level of health and independence, Ellie needs to be in a wheelchair of the right size and support.
A new powerchair that meets these requirements costs £19,000.00. In the current climate it is proving difficult to raise the funds as many of the charities that have supported us in the past are also struggling to raise funds, so, we are turning to crowd funding to raise funds to keep Ellie mobile and supported as she grows
Her power wheelchair gives her a lot of independence and the ability to interact with her peers and elders on her own terms. Ellie’s current power chair (which she has had since she was 5) is very special as it allows her to adjust her height from the ground up, it also allows her to travel over rough terrain, meaning she can independently take part in a wide range of activities at school and home. The independence that her wheelchair gives her is so important as Ellie needs assistance in all other aspects of her day to day life.
Ellie’s current powerchair is now too small for her and does not provide the correct postural support she requires as she grows. Posture is so important as Ellie’s muscles are not strong enough to hold her upright and her weak respiratory muscles make it difficult for her to cough effectively, making Ellie more vulnerable to chest infections, which could be life threatening. Ellie has previously had surgery on her spine to help her posture and she is scheduled to have more surgery before the end of the year.
For this surgery to be most successful, and for Ellie to maintain this level of health and independence, Ellie needs to be in a wheelchair of the right size and support.
A new powerchair that meets these requirements costs £19,000.00. In the current climate it is proving difficult to raise the funds as many of the charities that have supported us in the past are also struggling to raise funds, so, we are turning to crowd funding to raise funds to keep Ellie mobile and supported as she grows
Fundraising team (3)
Martin Renton
Organizer
Gemma Harrison
Team member
Yvonne Renton
Team member